Beacons In Bounds

[CO_knuckle_dragger]

I just wanted to get everyone's opinions about whether or not y'all use beacons at the resorts. It does seem like there are at least a couple people that get caught in in-bounds avalanches every season.

Last season I started wearing one on high risk days and when I was planning on riding anything steep. I haven't really been wearing one (in bounds) this season as I'm learning to tele and can't ski anything steep enough to slide anyway.

So, wuddaya think?

(As an aside, I never venture into unpatrolled terrain without beacon, shovel, probe, and someone else with all the same.)

 

[Admin]

I use mine in-bounds on a regular basis. Can't be too careful. If folks are wearing those Recco corpse locators in-bounds, why not a beacon?

 

[salida]

Recco - the Pro call them Popsicle finders.

Yes I wear my beacon inbounds. Especially on stuff thats way out, but still technically in bounds... I've seen big sloughs take out people inbounds... doesn't mean they couldn't step deeper.

 

[lookn4powder]

Yes I wear my beacon inbounds.

Add me to the list. My only debate is whether to carry a shovel & probe when skiing solo. (I'd hate to find someone but not be able to dig.) No debate when with an equally equipped buddy.

Flatter terrain has lower risk, but risk is always present. Over the years I've witnessed serious slides that encroached intermediate terrain (Crystal) and even beginner terrain (Alta, Snowbird (in 1987)).

Jeff

 

[Marc_C]

Yep. I've started wearing mine on a regular basis this season.

 

[CO_knuckle_dragger]

re: Recco. It is a good body recovery tool, which has its merits, I suppose. I got to play with a Recco locator last season with the Keystone Ski Patrol. It will also pick up a turned on cellphone or walkie-talkie.

I know that Keystone's protocol is to first do a beacon search while someone is getting the dogs and the Recco antennae. That's why I started wearing a beacon at the resorts. Good to know that others are doing the same.

re: carrying a shovel and probe in-bounds. I've been thinking about just getting one of those little frisbee-like shovels just so I always have one on me.

 

[Marc_C]

re: carrying a shovel and probe in-bounds. I've been thinking about just getting one of those little frisbee-like shovels just so I always have one on me.

Yes, it's better than nothing, but you give up a lot of leverage. As an exercise, find some avi debris and try digging. A real shovel with a handle is only fractionally heavier and larger, and your probe is going to be about the same size as a shaft/handle, so you may as well carry the real deal. Oh, only go with a metal blade.

 

[lookn4powder]

... Oh, only go with a metal blade.

On this and other boards, I've seen earnest discussions where plastic is vehemently denounced. But I have never heard of any rescue organization recommending metal over plastic. Did I miss this news?

For the record, years ago I first carried a Lifelink plastic blade, but I now carry a metal (and leave the plastic in the car for clearing the windshield). But I've never been totally convinced that one is really better than the other. Some avalanche debris is nearly concrete and it is tough to dig regardless of the blade. I've always worried that I might find the buried victim immediately and then dig too slowly due to the pack.

Jeff

 

[Marc_C]

... Oh, only go with a metal blade.

On this and other boards, I've seen earnest discussions where plastic is vehemently denounced. But I have never heard of any rescue organization recommending metal over plastic.

Nor have I. However, every single patroller at Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Snowbasin, Powder Mtn., The Canyons, and Deer Valley that I've ever encountered (and of those first 3, that would be most of them) carries a metal blade. I also note that AFAIK, Black Diamond has never offered a plastic blade. Those two qualitative data points are good enough for me.
Here's some additional reading: http://www.telemarktips.com/TeleNews70.html

 

[ChrisC]

I do not always wear my beacon.

I always do when going back or side country. I might if it is snowing 10+ and skiing open expert terrain, but never put it on for 6-8" in bumps or trees in bounds.

I am more tempted on days with accumulation going on during the day...or maybe morning after.