Anyone in SE MI interested in some transceiver....

[Bcar]

/beacon hunt practice?
I know of a few people who are in, we're thinking maybe around Island Lake Rec Area, near 96/23 intersection...The more transceivers we have the better!

[Tony Crocker]

Island Lake Rec Area

I'll bet you could get quite a few to show up here: http://www.islandlakeresorts.com/winter/

[mikesathome]

Do you have any dates set?
I don't have a beacon or anything but I would like to see how they work.
With all the inbound avalanches we have seen over the past few years, its probably best practice to start using them all the time, or at least on higher risk days (out west of course)

[Admin]

I don't have a beacon or anything

And I suspect you're not alone. No disrespect toward anyone intended, but I have to wonder how many Midwesterners even own a beacon?

[Bcar]

Of course, its where we live The only place I can even think of where it could be a danger would be sleeping bear sand dunes. I dont think there has ever been a man made snow avalanche, ha ha.

I lived in CO, which is when I picked up all my gear/training. Im sure im one of the few who's taken an AIARE class in MI, let alone even know what it is and has a beacon/probe/shovel.

Regardless, I charge pretty hard on piste, off piste, side country, back country, huts, etc so for me its a skill I need to keep up with/on with 20-30 days/yr out west. And as im sure we all know here, its a MUST for anyone leaving the gates. I wear mine pretty much every day out west (on or off piste), and on big snow days out east, its a GREAT habbit to get into with no down sides.

We're thinking Nov 15 or 16, or early on the 22nd. Prob early afternoon-ish, leaning towards the 15th or 16th. I doubt we'll have snow by then so we'll just use a field and put beacons in zip-loc bags and hide them in the tall grass, it will work just fine for everything other than probing. Please feel free to attend, I know of 4 people who will prob come, if there is enough interest, I could put on a short avi briefing/talk and bring other gear, AT, Avi, etc. for people to check out.

[Admin]

Of course, its where we live The only place I can even think of where it could be a danger would be sleeping bear sand dunes. I dont think there has ever been a man made snow avalanche, ha ha.

Au contraire!! I personally know of at least several. Rumor at Gore slid a number of years ago. Back in the early 90s when I was working at Jay Peak, the entire headwall of CanAm slid from a buildup of heavy, wet manmade snow over a weak natural snow base.

Regardless, I charge pretty hard on piste, off piste, side country, back country, huts, etc so for me its a skill I need to keep up with/on with 20-30 days/yr out west. And as im sure we all know here, its a MUST for anyone leaving the gates.

Absolutely.

Here's wishing you a good turnout!

[lex]

We had a 300' wide slide on the sleepingbear dunes last year as somebody mentioned. There's quite a bit of snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing & some downhill for skiers/boarders...so depending on what trail you go on, a beacon is a good idea. There are a few other areas where this is possible, but I haven't seen or heard of other areas that have had slides. The dunes have a sign that says avalanche area.

[Bcar]

We're going to try to ski sleeping bear this winter, if the snow is good. Cant wait to dig the 1st ever snow pit on it Wind loading there has got to be a b!tch...

[lex]

the slides start at the sand, so this is the weak layer, not so much a weak snow layer