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Who’s going backcountry for the first time this year?
Curious how many of you lifer park/resort skiers are slapping on skins and venturing backcountry this year (with all safety gear/avy course and someone knowledgeable of course). Looks like there will likely not be many travel options this season, I picked up a touring setup and will be learning the ropes on some local objectives around Vancouver Island.
andy_gCurious how many of you lifer park/resort skiers are slapping on skins and venturing backcountry this year (with all safety gear/avy course and someone knowledgeable of course). Looks like there will likely not be many travel options this season, I picked up a touring setup and will be learning the ropes on some local objectives around Vancouver Island.
Cant wait for all the fucking idiots who DONT take an AIARE 1 to completely fuck up the experience for everyone else.
Not trying to imply that you’re one of those people OP, but so many people are buying AT shit without the proper knowledge and intent to learn and it makes things extremely dangerous for everyone
animatorCant wait for all the fucking idiots who DONT take an AIARE 1 to completely fuck up the experience for everyone else.
Not trying to imply that you’re one of those people OP, but so many people are buying AT shit without the proper knowledge and intent to learn and it makes things extremely dangerous for everyone
Yeah, I always feel really shitty when I end up selling touring equipment to people that clearly don't have the needed knowledge.
If I see someone looking at the AT section of my shop, I always talk to them and ask about their touring experience (nicely ofc) and if they have the right things, and way too often they say they are just trying it out and won't be in danger even if they are skiing in avalanche terrain. It's worrisome. I almost feel like people should need an avy 1 or AIARE 1 to even purchase AT gear, but that's stupid.
Yeah just to clarify, I’m under no delusions about the risks and hazards out there. I feel like these days there are lots of great resources and experienced folks to learn from and have fun safely out there, no excuse to be stupid. Sucks there’s kooks in so many areas these days making life tough.
I’m hoping to get into the backcountry this year. Not because of covid though. It’s just my first season out west. I’m very aware that I have no idea what I’m doing so I’ll be taking a course and probably only going out if I find someone experienced to take me/ teach me
im only a couple seasons deep in the backcountry. just took ast 2 last winter. im also from the island and would reccomend mt cain slack. its got lots of consistently fairly stable interesting terrain to just practice skills in. still be extetremely cautious tho
animatorCant wait for all the fucking idiots who DONT take an AIARE 1 to completely fuck up the experience for everyone else.
Not trying to imply that you’re one of those people OP, but so many people are buying AT shit without the proper knowledge and intent to learn and it makes things extremely dangerous for everyone
i never took avvy 1
i did git to clep avvy 2
and a semsester of a pure snow science course
an emt and woofer
with 2 1/2 decades of experience
sorry my idiot ass is making things dangerous for everyone
or is it
**This post was edited on Nov 12th 2020 at 7:55:21am
yeetus_chund666im only a couple seasons deep in the backcountry. just took ast 2 last winter. im also from the island and would reccomend mt cain slack. its got lots of consistently fairly stable interesting terrain to just practice skills in. still be extetremely cautious tho
Definitely planning on spending some time up at Cain this year
This will be my fourth season skiing west backcountry. I'm very excited to continue my education of snowpack, elasticity, and gravity.
Anyone looking for literature: Staying alive in Avalanche terrain is a great book.
On another note, take an education course! But! If one is not available to you read a book, dig pits, make conservative decisions until you begin to understand how snow moves.
animatorCant wait for all the fucking idiots who DONT take an AIARE 1 to completely fuck up the experience for everyone else.
Not trying to imply that you’re one of those people OP, but so many people are buying AT shit without the proper knowledge and intent to learn and it makes things extremely dangerous for everyone
We got 8 feet of snow in Tahoe when everything shut down. Not surprised all the bay area folks went to the bc. But regardleas of the reports. Imeven high dangerou they were mobbing spots and setting shit off.
Nothing wild where anyone got hurt but still. The lack of fucks given was pretty beat.
A lot if people are pretty good about it though. Fuck it. I'm hoping to tour more this year. Didn't get out much last year between lack of snow early and riding the resort after work or skating.
Have fun out there and be safe. Shit's pretty fun . You'll get hooked!
a handful of times here and there with some friends. taking a class this winter and been reading throughout the offseason. thinking back on some of those touring days, we had no idea what the fuck we were doing so starting your education within all of this is eye-opening when you think back on some stuff you did and some positions you may have put yourself or others in. its also fun to observe stuff at the ski resort now when youre on the chair or about to ski a run or something.
I went last year a few times with friends. Going to get my own setup this year to skin the ski areas on pow days when the lifts aren’t going, going to keep it mellow until I decide if it’s for me or not then maybe I’ll get into a class and get into real back country
Just bought a BC setup for this year, pretty hyped on it since I have gone on a few tours in the past. Didn't realize how expensive the AIARE classes are, around me they are $500! I'm guessing that's pretty normal but just wasn't expecting it. If anyone is around the Portland OR area and is down to show a noob the ropes this year, HMU!
tsewhsojJust bought a BC setup for this year, pretty hyped on it since I have gone on a few tours in the past. Didn't realize how expensive the AIARE classes are, around me they are $500! I'm guessing that's pretty normal but just wasn't expecting it. If anyone is around the Portland OR area and is down to show a noob the ropes this year, HMU!
The AST1 course up on van island is 300CAD but I’m not sure how it compares to AIARE, here it’s a 2 day course
tsewhsojJust bought a BC setup for this year, pretty hyped on it since I have gone on a few tours in the past. Didn't realize how expensive the AIARE classes are, around me they are $500! I'm guessing that's pretty normal but just wasn't expecting it. If anyone is around the Portland OR area and is down to show a noob the ropes this year, HMU!
$500 is chump change compared to the knowledge you gain and the value of your life and your friends
andy_gThe AST1 course up on van island is 300CAD but I’m not sure how it compares to AIARE, here it’s a 2 day course
From what I've read, the AIARE course is 1 classroom day which is now online and then 2 days on the mountain. Sounds like you have a good deal up there though.
andy_gYou can’t really put a price on safety but my biggest shock was when I went looking at airbags, holy shit
For sure. I have been going back and forth on whether or not I should buy one to go along with a beacon and probe; the total cost almost doubles with some airbag systems.
tsewhsojFor sure. I have been going back and forth on whether or not I should buy one to go along with a beacon and probe; the total cost almost doubles with some airbag systems.
Yea I think it’s out of the budget for me this year unless I find a deal. BCA float 2.0 is the cheapest setup, with the tank for a 22L is around 800 and all the other ones seem to be over a grand.
tsewhsojFor sure. I have been going back and forth on whether or not I should buy one to go along with a beacon and probe; the total cost almost doubles with some airbag systems.
Airbags are an extra expense that most people tend to buy once they decide they’re spending a whole lot of time in avy-heavy terrain. I grew up in Switzerland and even all of the out of bounds terrain that we skied, most of the serious locals just rocked the beacon probe and shovel. Definitely a worthy expense once you reach that point, not when you’re starting out. Spend the money on an AIARE 1 rather than an airbag, airbags won’t save your friends lives
andy_gYou can’t really put a price on safety but my biggest shock was when I went looking at airbags, holy shit
Yeah, airbags only really apply to a smaller group of people. They are largely unnecessary (but still useful) in mellow terrain. When I was touring big BC chutes up in Nelson, I used one that I borrowed. But I haven't really used one since. Unless you are really going after it in high-risk areas you most likely don't need to buy one.
But if you have the money (and all the other equipment+knowledge for AT), I do recommend investing in one. It can save your life if the unlikely happens.
**This post was edited on Nov 12th 2020 at 8:37:08pm
andy_gYea I think it’s out of the budget for me this year unless I find a deal. BCA float 2.0 is the cheapest setup, with the tank for a 22L is around 800 and all the other ones seem to be over a grand.
Mammut also makes a system that works with the dakine R.A.S bags. Not sure if they would be cheaper than the BCA system but I have seen some dakine bags used for pretty cheap that would work.
Bended_ToenailYeah, airbags only really apply to a smaller group of people. They are largely unnecessary (but still useful) in mellow terrain. When I was touring big BC chutes up in Nelson, I used one that I borrowed. But I haven't really used one since. Unless you are really going after it in high-risk areas you most likely don't need to buy one.
But if you have the money (and all the other equipment+knowledge for AT), I do recommend investing in one. It can save your life if the unlikely happens.
**This post was edited on Nov 12th 2020 at 8:37:08pm
Good to know, I’ll probably stick to the essentials for this year and see how she goes
animator$500 is chump change compared to the knowledge you gain and the value of your life and your friends
if you look at the data it isnt noobs without level 1 that are being involved or killed in/from avalaunches
why doesnt the data support
this best $500 and 24 hours of instruction and will prevent you from being a statistic claim
it isnt a bad start but it sure isnt what you seem to think it is if you look at the numbers
SFBv420.0if you look at the data it isnt noobs without level 1 that are being involved or killed in/from avalaunches
why doesnt the data support
this best $500 and 24 hours of instruction and will prevent you from being a statistic claim
it isnt a bad start but it sure isnt what you seem to think it is if you look at the numbers
Wait wait so you’re saying that taking an AIARE isn’t worth it because according to statistics, it’s experienced BC skiers that die in the mountains, not skiers new to the BC?
Bended_ToenailYeah, airbags only really apply to a smaller group of people....It can save your life if the unlikely happens.
**This post was edited on Nov 12th 2020 at 8:37:08pm
This, airbags do a great job at giving you a small extra percent chance of surviving a smaller surface slide, so long as you aren't thrown into trees or off cliffs. That said, my airbag has saved my life once and I don't ski without it in the backcountry, but I also use a snowmobile to access the goods, which is way easier to trigger slides with and I usually ski more advanced backcountry lines in which that increased survival percentage can be the difference between life and death. The big goal is staying out of avalanche terrain, but accidents happen in unexpected places in the backcountry
SFBv420.0if you look at the data it isnt noobs without level 1 that are being involved or killed in/from avalaunches
why doesnt the data support
this best $500 and 24 hours of instruction and will prevent you from being a statistic claim
it isnt a bad start but it sure isnt what you seem to think it is if you look at the numbers
The cause for getting caught/killed in avi terrain is not more training. Noobs without level 1's are not getting killed because they are not going into terrain that they can get killed in as often. If you have more training, you feel more confident in the BC which can cause you to take unnecessary risks. The key is taking a step back and making decisions based on what you know. Too often people take a course and think they are hot shit. Don't listen to this guy, take an avi course and don't get too cocky.
BraybladeThe cause for getting caught/killed in avi terrain is not more training. Noobs without level 1's are not getting killed because they are not going into terrain that they can get killed in as often. If you have more training, you feel more confident in the BC which can cause you to take unnecessary risks. The key is taking a step back and making decisions based on what you know. Too often people take a course and think they are hot shit. Don't listen to this guy, take an avi course and don't get too cocky.
I think what he meant was your point about not taking avy1 and thinking you know everything. I was on the BCA fb live with AJ the other day and he nailed it talking about the relationship between education and mentorship in the wild.
andy_gI think what he meant was your point about not taking avy1 and thinking you know everything. I was on the BCA fb live with AJ the other day and he nailed it talking about the relationship between education and mentorship in the wild.
The way he discussed it sounded like he was saying "Don't take an avalanche class, you don't need it"
Last year was my first year getting into the backcountry and I'm gonna keep at it this year. I took a class last year and a lot (but not all) of the information I had already read/watched online. I think one of the most important things for me was just seeing how the instructors approach the backcountry. They all had a healthy fear of the dangers and were all very conservative when choosing terrain because most of them have known someone who has died in an avalanche accident.
I think I'm gonna mostly stick to building jumps in safer terrain and low angle stuff. Avalanches scare the shit outta me. Btw if anyone knows any really fun low angle terrain with some small drops and stuff near SLC then let me know.
little_boy_primeLast year was my first year getting into the backcountry and I'm gonna keep at it this year. I took a class last year and a lot (but not all) of the information I had already read/watched online. I think one of the most important things for me was just seeing how the instructors approach the backcountry. They all had a healthy fear of the dangers and were all very conservative when choosing terrain because most of them have known someone who has died in an avalanche accident.
I think I'm gonna mostly stick to building jumps in safer terrain and low angle stuff. Avalanches scare the shit outta me. Btw if anyone knows any really fun low angle terrain with some small drops and stuff near SLC then let me know.
no im pointing out avalaunche edjumacation isnt the magic silver bullet you may think it is
if it was people with advanced levels would not be statistics
mother nature doesnt care
actually i think a companion rescue course and 1st aid is a better 500 initial investment
as those are harder to learn on yur own or be mentored
you should read books, avvy reports, accident investigations, tar, kybo, seek out and partcipate in any ssw you can as a lot of it discuss hueristics they only floss over in formal classes
im stoked i took avvy 2, but the semester long snow science couse for less money that included class time and feild day friday's was a much better investment for me it was 10 fold more hours and a semester of pits in multiple locations vrs. digging one along side the brighton parking lot and wmc in a sigle weekend for avvy 2
that class has no certifications though because avvy edjucation is a bidness
but i have views shaped over decades of experiances and mistakes
Its funny how many people (who usually suck at skiing) believe they deserve to enjoy the mountains more than those who are just starting (or dont have acces to any gear) just because they paid a couple courses or the have been doing it for more years. Nature is for everyone and if you go skinning below a large group of clueless skiers in high avalanche conditions and get burried its your fault.
Luckily here that "moral superiority" culture isn`t everywhere and there are still ranchers and indigenous people who get to hike up mountains in jeans and ski down after work without rich assholes judging them.
Did anyone else happen to read that paper from the CAIC with data about their findings from last season pre and post covid in terms of new skier numbers and experienced people getting caught in slides? pretty eye opening honestly.
**This post was edited on Nov 18th 2020 at 12:08:24pm
DeebieSkeebiesDid anyone else happen to read that paper from the CAIC with data about their findings from last season pre and post covid in terms of new skier numbers and experienced people getting caught in slides? pretty eye opening honestly.
**This post was edited on Nov 18th 2020 at 12:08:24pm
andy_gCurious how many of you lifer park/resort skiers are slapping on skins and venturing backcountry this year (with all safety gear/avy course and someone knowledgeable of course). Looks like there will likely not be many travel options this season, I picked up a touring setup and will be learning the ropes on some local objectives around Vancouver Island.
i can’t afford skins, touring bindings, and new boots but i got into boot packing my resort before and after the season
Thanks! Makes sense, thats what i think UAC predicted; experienced people would get aggro about newbies taking over the popular spots and pushing their risk tolerances past normal.
Other anecdotal evidence that has me worried is when i was touring around Albion i ran into 2 different people who asked me where they were on the mountain even though I was just on the summer road and up to the first chairlift at Alta. Gonna be a lot of bozos that don't even research their trips ahead of time this year
