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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Backcountry Stupidity

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CabbyArrant
Posts: 780 - Karma: 4,129
So I work part time at a ski shop and this dude came in last week to get his wife fitted for boots. This dude was getting her fitted for touring boots and as I live in IL I started talking to this couple about their touring exploits. Come to find out that this guy has done “ a ton” of touring(allegedly) and that he is looking to teach his wife to tour with him. After talking to this guy for about 5 minutes I start getting an uneasy feeling for a couple of reasons. I asked him where he took his avy courses and he didn’t understand what I was talking about.Also, he started saying how he was disappointed that there is no touring equipment for children while acknowledging his toddler son sitting next to his wife. I also learned that the wife was getting her first pair of boots ever.

I try not to judge my customers but this entire dynamic left me with a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was completely blown away that this guy was so hell bent on taking others into the backcountry.

This entire encounter left a bad taste in my mouth. This dude was hell bent on taking his family into the backcountry and it just came off completely self centered. I think my problem is really with the idea of a small child being dragged into the backcountry. I’m all for people earning their turns but the backcountry I feel is a place that requires informed consent and that’s not something that small children can comprehend.


TLDR: Selfish dude from IL wants to take his beginner skier wife and toddler son in the backcountry. Is it ethical or just stupid?
4 years ago
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KCoCM
Posts: 963 - Karma: 8,787
sounds like a crazy person
4 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52607 - Karma: 174,414
Dudes just trying to earnthoseturns bro
4 years ago
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8093 - Karma: 64,459
Trail clone 2.0
4 years ago
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dant02
Posts: 254 - Karma: 2,346
Darwinism at its finest
4 years ago
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poofartpee
Posts: 7436 - Karma: 1,540
WhaT iS AvaLAncHe? ThERe nO DaNgER hERe
4 years ago
15 0
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12705 - Karma: 120,028
TIL theres backcountry in IL
4 years ago
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 780 - Karma: 4,129
TRVP_ANGELTIL theres backcountry in IL


Nah, we got shitty hills but I know a few guys who head out west and go touring each year. But that’s why I’m suspect of anybody claiming they tour a lot when they live around here. It doesn’t take long to figure out who knows their shit and who doesn’t
4 years ago
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Chunderface
Posts: 2564 - Karma: 10,040
On my way to the resort I always pay attention to the BC skiers coming out of the woods onto the road. There are always a few with no gear, but it used to be kind of a rarity. This year, there are a ton, even old ass guys, walking onto the road with literally zero gear. It's incredible.
4 years ago
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3609 - Karma: 3,977
Utah backcountry yesterday had it all going on. Surprised the UAC site didn’t crash due to so many accidents and reports. Only one dead - surprising.
4 years ago
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3828 - Karma: 3,533
People like that on the east coast are the fucking worst. They have this inflated ego that they’re a good skier cause they take a trip out west once a year. The disregard for avy safety this year blows my mind but I honestly just say fuck it and let those idiots learn the hard way. half the time these people think they’re the shit and aren’t even actually riding bc terrain just side country stuff outside of resort boundaries they assume is safe but don’t have the slightest clue that nearly half of avy fatalities are from idiots ducking ropes into uncontrolled areas.
4 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52607 - Karma: 174,414
I will say one hopeful thing about avy danger and kooks. The other year when CO was fucking sketchy there were very few fatalities when everything was sliding. People's friggin ice cube trays in their freezers were sliding. But the warning went out and were like "yo, no really dude yo, shit is sketchy, dont be an idiot and die" and people actually listened. That gave me some faith in people.
4 years ago
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3828 - Karma: 3,533
While some people listen, mountain towns and states in general this year have seen an influx of Jerry’s moving there because they now have the ability to work from home. The populations in places all over Colorado, Utah, Montana and the pnw have rapidly grown and the amount of people I see by themselves with nothing but their skis and skins at the trailhead in the morning is concerning to say the least
theabortionatorI will say one hopeful thing about avy danger and kooks. The other year when CO was fucking sketchy there were very few fatalities when everything was sliding. People's friggin ice cube trays in their freezers were sliding. But the warning went out and were like "yo, no really dude yo, shit is sketchy, dont be an idiot and die" and people actually listened. That gave me some faith in people.
4 years ago
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2655 - Karma: 34,161
Natural selection
4 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52607 - Karma: 174,414
EvanMeyerWhile some people listen, mountain towns and states in general this year have seen an influx of Jerry’s moving there because they now have the ability to work from home. The populations in places all over Colorado, Utah, Montana and the pnw have rapidly grown and the amount of people I see by themselves with nothing but their skis and skins at the trailhead in the morning is concerning to say the least


I mean i get it. I lived in taboe when we got nuked the weekend if the rona. Every tool with no abilities was in the backcountry the next few weeks. I only went out once. People riding in high avy danger solo to make shitty videos to post to touring groups. Carparks full. Idk. Fuck it. Idk. I just went skating more.
4 years ago
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,705
theabortionatorI will say one hopeful thing about avy danger and kooks. The other year when CO was fucking sketchy there were very few fatalities when everything was sliding. People's friggin ice cube trays in their freezers were sliding. But the warning went out and were like "yo, no really dude yo, shit is sketchy, dont be an idiot and die" and people actually listened. That gave me some faith in people.


unfortunately not this year :/ I think we're between 4-6 deaths this season alone. be safe out there folks.
4 years ago
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c-fries
Posts: 1047 - Karma: 5,586
Scarpa boys be like
4 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52607 - Karma: 174,414
edaiunfortunately not this year :/ I think we're between 4-6 deaths this season alone. be safe out there folks.


Dang. CO is gnar. Was wild road tripping and seeing the carnage the last few years.

Idk i hope people get it together but the facebook tourings groups are very "i bought a setup, i cmdont have money for a beacon, where are the sickest zones?" Regardless of avy danger.
4 years ago
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kim_jong_ill
Posts: 1019 - Karma: 3,147
SkiBum.Utah backcountry yesterday had it all going on. Surprised the UAC site didn’t crash due to so many accidents and reports. Only one dead - surprising.


Just checked out the reports on the UAC site, 26 slides reported in a day is fucked
4 years ago
1 0
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 3168 - Karma: 28,750
c-friesScarpa boys be like


makes me ashamed to ride scarpas
4 years ago
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skierman
Posts: 8600 - Karma: 9,518
"Can you put together a touring package under $500 for me?"





"HOW ABOUT I FUCK YOUR WIFE IN FRONT OF YOU INSTEAD? STUPID FUCKING GAPER CUCK!"
4 years ago
10 1
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 780 - Karma: 4,129
theabortionatorI will say one hopeful thing about avy danger and kooks. The other year when CO was fucking sketchy there were very few fatalities when everything was sliding. People's friggin ice cube trays in their freezers were sliding. But the warning went out and were like "yo, no really dude yo, shit is sketchy, dont be an idiot and die" and people actually listened. That gave me some faith in people.

These are IL kooks though. They have no respect for the mountains
4 years ago
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 33,346
"Only ___ people die a year from avalanches... thats less than the flu, are you really going to live in fear"

seems like he would follow that same covid Denyer rhetoric
4 years ago
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-olives
Posts: 545 - Karma: 2,824
CrunnchyVanMan"Only ___ people die a year from avalanches... thats less than the flu, are you really going to live in fear"

seems like he would follow that same covid Denyer rhetoric


idk if i would say being clueless to avy danger and being skeptical about some bs regulations are the same.
4 years ago
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 33,346
-olivesidk if i would say being clueless to avy danger and being skeptical about some bs regulations are the same.


Depends if the cluelessness is on purpose for the sake of ignorance or if they legitimately don’t know the danger
4 years ago
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-olives
Posts: 545 - Karma: 2,824
CrunnchyVanManDepends if the cluelessness is on purpose for the sake of ignorance or if they legitimately don’t know the danger


to clarify what i said, i agree that whoever says something like that is just a fucking idiot regardless. how can you blatantly ignore avalanche dangers? to make you seem more hardcore? thats wild to me
4 years ago
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 33,346
-olivesto clarify what i said, i agree that whoever says something like that is just a fucking idiot regardless. how can you blatantly ignore avalanche dangers? to make you seem more hardcore? thats wild to me


Ah yea I misunderstood probably. but yea its wack. to be honest I think you seem more hardcore when you act smart about mountain safety. lets ur partners or crew know you know your shit and have enough brainspace for avvy knowledge (cuz it takes quite a bit)
4 years ago
1 0
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-olives
Posts: 545 - Karma: 2,824
CrunnchyVanManAh yea I misunderstood probably. but yea its wack. to be honest I think you seem more hardcore when you act smart about mountain safety. lets ur partners or crew know you know your shit and have enough brainspace for avvy knowledge (cuz it takes quite a bit)


100% agree! we live in a world of kooks
4 years ago
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 33,346
-olives100% agree! we live in a world of kooks


Save the kookery for ur yearly trip to vail....shit is serious in the backcountry
4 years ago
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