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Backcountry Stupidity

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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,120
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?
Jan 31 2021 2:36AM
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KCoCM
Posts: 963 - Karma: 8,782
sounds like a crazy person
Jan 31 2021 3:07AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51626 - Karma: 162,071
Dudes just trying to earnthoseturns bro
Jan 31 2021 7:03AM
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WoFlowz
Posts: 7897 - Karma: 63,921
Trail clone 2.0
Jan 31 2021 7:08AM
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dant02
Posts: 252 - Karma: 2,346
Darwinism at its finest
Jan 31 2021 11:53AM
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poofartpee
Posts: 7436 - Karma: 1,538
WhaT iS AvaLAncHe? ThERe nO DaNgER hERe
Jan 31 2021 11:56AM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12506 - Karma: 116,119
TIL theres backcountry in IL
Jan 31 2021 12:02PM
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,120
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
Jan 31 2021 12:52PM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2514 - Karma: 9,823
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.
Jan 31 2021 1:38PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
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.
Jan 31 2021 1:58PM
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3822 - Karma: 3,447
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.
Jan 31 2021 3:02PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51626 - Karma: 162,071
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.
Jan 31 2021 3:47PM
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3822 - Karma: 3,447
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.
Jan 31 2021 4:57PM
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2305 - Karma: 29,025
Natural selection
Jan 31 2021 5:24PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51626 - Karma: 162,071
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.
Jan 31 2021 5:41PM
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edai
Posts: 4987 - Karma: 4,653
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.
Jan 31 2021 6:08PM
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c-fries
Posts: 1046 - Karma: 5,585
Scarpa boys be like
Jan 31 2021 6:27PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51626 - Karma: 162,071
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.
Jan 31 2021 6:28PM
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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
Jan 31 2021 6:44PM
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 2729 - Karma: 22,982
c-friesScarpa boys be like


makes me ashamed to ride scarpas
Jan 31 2021 7:08PM
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skierman
Posts: 8332 - Karma: 7,766
"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!"
Jan 31 2021 7:29PM
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,120
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
Jan 31 2021 7:38PM
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3575 - Karma: 28,876
"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
Jan 31 2021 7:42PM
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-olives
Posts: 545 - Karma: 2,819
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.
Feb 1 2021 10:02AM
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3575 - Karma: 28,876
-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
Feb 1 2021 10:26AM
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-olives
Posts: 545 - Karma: 2,819
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
Feb 1 2021 10:33AM
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3575 - Karma: 28,876
-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)
Feb 1 2021 10:54AM
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-olives
Posts: 545 - Karma: 2,819
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
Feb 1 2021 11:12AM
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3575 - Karma: 28,876
-olives100% agree! we live in a world of kooks


Save the kookery for ur yearly trip to vail....shit is serious in the backcountry
Feb 1 2021 11:18AM
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