Youth in the Backcountry

MOMMA

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I'm doing a little research here. How many of you take your kids out into the back country? What kind of safety equipment do they use? Have they participated in any Avalanche training? What are your thoughts?

My kids have all regularly attended beacon practices and winter education classes. They are to the age now that my oldest ones will be out in the back country as sledders, and as boarders. I want them to be as prepared as can be not only with safety equipment, but with education. I am still teaching winter safety classes in schools and they often help me prepare and are great classroom facilitators.

The big rides are still for us adults, but it's only a few years till they'll be out in the real world away from my protective wing. I pray that I have educated them wisely and pointed them into the direction of safety, as it looks like they've all been bitten by "Sled Bugs"..Like their Mom and Step dad.

Eager to hear what you think. I'm writing an article for joydigger.com | the face of freeride snowmobiling based on this topic. Thanks again Peeps.


Momma :)
 

Carrots

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I'm 16, took a avalanche training course, i have a avalanche pack, shovel, probe, beacon, and enough survival gear to be able to spend the night on the mountain.


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SledMamma

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We do... Our daughter had AST1 when she was 11. She may not have understood everything, but we reinforce that early exposure and build on it every time we go out. She has a backpack, shovel, beacon and probe and knows how to use them. (which is handy on days she doesn't join to bring as spares if people forget their gear)

Our other two girls are ages 5 and 7- we do bring them on tamer days, but those days are designed just for them. We bring slides and if we don't make it past the cabin, oh well!!

I find the biggest barriers are the long trail rides in and keeping them warm when they are passengering. We buy the best underlayers, coats, pants, boots, and mittens you can get for kids (a big challenge sometimes) and plenty of hot packs for their hands and feet. At this point, we strive to make their memories as enjoyable as possible so that they will want to continue coming out again and again.

Survival wise, being in trauma and life support, all my kids know first aid and CPR!! Watching the 5 year old do it is kinda creepy, but it's never too early to learn. We try to teach them a little bit of backcountry survival every time we go out by making it a fun game/demo, without inundating them with the "what ifs" and scaring the piss out of them. It's a tough balance to teach them to respect the power of the backcountry without ruining the fun.

It's a slow process of 'expose and reinforce' but (as I have said before) one day I hope to carve across a mountain top meadow with my daughters as fingers of sunlight touch the snow through the clouds. It's on my bucketlist :)
 

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What people seem to forget is that the most important part of the avy course is the boring classroom stuff. Where they show you how to evaluate the slopes, recognizing terrain traps etc. If you need to use the Beacon, probe and shovel, someone has already f#*ked up. Sounds like you have the survival and first aid stuff covered.
 

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My daughter is just learning to ride for the most part and is 16 years old. We do not go anywhere remotely close to avalanche terrain at this time but I have her wearing a beacon with shovel and probe and we have done beacon search tests together. When she is more comfortable leaving flat ground she will be taking an AST 1 course for sure.
 

chadwik74

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I'm 37 and rode Valemont with my dad since I was 12ish before the age of beacons, avy packs and spots. I got back into the sport in 07 after a 5-6 yr break.....beacons were a new thing to me, but are a great tool in this day and age where sleds are going further and faster than ever. I always rode his last year cat which would be a wildcat or whatever was the biggest or fastest at the time.....my point.....not sure, but it's great to see the proactive measures in today's youth riding!
 

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Our son took his AST 1 when he was 13.....he's been riding in the mountains with us since he was 10. He carries a Pieps DSP beacon, shovel, probe and KNOWS how to use them. We regularly practice beacon searches when the mountains end up being socked in and can't ride. Soooo.....a day that might be wasted to most hard core sledders is actually an opportunity for us to brush up on our skills! We do test pits too.....I think knowledge goes a long way for younger minds. When we took our course my husband and I were actually blown away with the stuff that he remembered! He's 15 now and I believe he has a great base of knowledge about the snowpack, and being safe in the mountains at all times. He also has his First Aid and CPR, so I feel confident when he rides with us! I think all parents that ride with their kids in the mountains have to make this course mandatory. You will be amazed at what they learn, and how interested they become in learning all about snow! :)
 

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my boy just turned 11. He has been in the mountains since he was 4. riding his own 550 RMK since he was 5. he pulls the snow coach with all the camping gear for over night trips. he is totally geared up with his Pieps beacon and probe,shovel,and Garman radio/GPS with the find me option. so next year he will take a avy course but was told not this year. in a few more years he will be riding with the whole group all the time! I'm going to have to get him some more power......he already has the turbo bug and loves my sled......
 

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I am 14 (be 15 in 11 days). My dad got Me started in mountain sledding. He's been riding since before I was born, so he's a good teacher. I don't have any classroom time but will hopefully be taking AST1 soon. I have a shovel,probe,beacon,avalanche backpack. I know how to us my beacon, and have practiced. My dad will point out slopes that could slide, so I can identify some sketchy slopes I guess. Oh and I have the avalance.ca app on my iPhone! I've transitioned into a pretty decent rider I guess, which helps.
 
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MOMMA

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I have to chuckle sometimes. Part of the curriculum I teach in schools is the layering system. Which fabrics are good fabrics that will breath and wick sweat away and those that aren't. The kids chant.. "cotton kills" basically acknowledging that Cotton is not a layer that you want in your winter outer wear.

We quite often come upon someone who uses their cotton hoody as their mid layer. The kids point it out and are amazed that they don't know how to layer. I see it often in the store. People try jackets on and make comments that there will be enough room for their hoody. Then the mom in me comes out... I have little signs everywhere. Cotton Doesn't breathe! It will make you sweat and hold that sweat like a sponge then it'll make you very very cold....

I am very happy, like warm fuzzy happy with the responses we've gotten to this post so far. Super huge high fives and big hugs peeps for our awesome youth who are growing up wise and educated.

The article will be out tomorrow!! Thank you all for taking the time to voice your information. I will post it up here tomorrow!

Thank you!!

Momma :)
 
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Ride Whistler

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I take my kids (5 and 8) out for some mellow rides in the meadows. Over the next few years I will start to teach them about terrain and avalanche awareness/safety...they're just not ready yet. The kids are the future of our sport and I think it's important to share our passion/knowledge with them. I encourage anyone to bring their kids to one of my avalanche courses...
 

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We have been taking our boy since he was 10 months old. Usually to the cabins or back to the meadows nothing outrageous but still has a beacon and a helmet of coarse. Clothing quality and layers is a must. He is getting really good at his shoveling technique too. He is now 3 turning 4 and has been asking since Oct when we are going. I think we created a sledding monster!
 
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EricW

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While avy trainig is no doubt a very important education for youth, I look at it as my avy training kept my boys safe while they were in their early and late teens. We simply didn't ride avy terrain if there was any type of risk present. My boys do pull shoots and ride open slopes now (22&23yrs old) but they still spend most of their time boondocking and riding technical terrain mostly in the trees. I couldn't be happier.

That said, in their youth I did focus most of my time teaching and preparing them for outdoor/overnight survival. My theory was that this training was most likely to serve them from multiple activity exposures throughout their lives. To this day it breaks my heart when I read of the vehicle traveler who becomes stranded in the back country and perishes even though they are in a vehicle. Knock on wood.....I don't think that will ever happen to either of my boys. They do so many outdoor activities that carry with them the risks of exposure and extreme conditions. I really think that their learned and practiced confidence and knowledge of back country survival will assist them greatly if they ever find themselves in that position.

I think the key is mental conditioning, calm thinking, decision making, and applying your training. All these things can be practiced on any and every outing. I think doing an outdoor overnighter in the snow is a huge lesson and confidence builder. Knowing you can survive and not panicing is more than half the battle. We have a couple warming huts in our area that we would camp outside of just incase it went bad we could retreat to the shelter. Its amazing how long time takes when you are outdoors all night trying to stay warm. Most are not prepared for this. It is a great drill to experience it and know that you can/will survive it. You kind of teach them to get pissed and decide that you WILL NOT give up to your enemy. I felt it was OK to teach them it was life & death even as young teens.

I found a great instructor who taught survival skills at a local Air Force Base who was willing to take the lead. I think any military personnel trained in survival would jump at the chance to teach and oversee an outdoor winter slumber party to instruct youth and parents. I guess I've rambled on enough now, just my $.02 to this great topic. Nice job and congrats on your work Momma. EW
 
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MOMMA

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While avy trainig is no doubt a very important education for youth, I look at it as my avy training kept my boys safe while they were in their early and late teens. We simply didn't ride avy terrain if there was any type of risk present. My boys do pull shoots and ride open slopes now (22&23yrs old) but they still spend most of their time boondocking and riding technical terrain mostly in the trees. I couldn't be happier.

That said, in their youth I did focus most of my time teaching and preparing them for outdoor/overnight survival. My theory was that this training was most likely to serve them from multiple activity exposures throughout their lives. To this day it breaks my heart when I read of the vehicle traveler who becomes stranded in the back country and perishes even though they are in a vehicle. Knock on wood.....I don't think that will ever happen to either of my boys. They do so many outdoor activities that carry with them the risks of exposure and extreme conditions. I really think that their learned and practiced confidence and knowledge of back country survival will assist them greatly if they ever find themselves in that position.

I think the key is mental conditioning, calm thinking, decision making, and applying your training. All these things can be practiced on any and every outing. I think doing an outdoor overnighter in the snow is a huge lesson and confidence builder. Knowing you can survive and not panicing is more than half the battle. We have a couple warming huts in our area that we would camp outside of just incase it went bad we could retreat to the shelter. Its amazing how long time takes when you are outdoors all night trying to stay warm. Most are not prepared for this. It is a great drill to experience it and know that you can/will survive it. You kind of teach them to get pissed and decide that you WILL NOT give up to your enemy. I felt it was OK to teach them it was life & death even as young teens.

I found a great instructor who taught survival skills at a local Air Force Base who was willing to take the lead. I think any military personnel trained in survival would jump at the chance to teach and oversee an outdoor winter slumber party to instruct youth and parents. I guess I've rambled on enough now, just my $.02 to this great topic. Nice job and congrats on your work Momma. EW

Thank you Eric! :) I absolutely agree. The winter survival part is huge. Mental preparation is such a key element for survival. Your kids are very fortunate to have been brought up with such awareness.

Have an awesome day!

Momma :)
 

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Our boys have been riding with me in th mountains since they are 2 1/2 yrs old and gradually progressed throughout the years. They are now 11 and 15 riding their own sleds typically since 7 or 8 years old. We all have ABS Air Bags, Beacons, Probes, Shovels and know how to use them with regular practice. Although they have not taken a formal Avi course each year before the first ride we watch an Avalanche training video together and discuss it. Throughout every ride we stop and jointly assess conditions before doing any climbing with them going first on their assessment. I am pleased and amazed at the maturity of their responses. I fully agree that being prepared for weather and conditions is CRITICAL having experienced "unplanned" winter camping in the past. Consequently we carry survival gear and wear good quality, layered, winter clothes. Warm kids are fun kids! No different than us adults. By shopping clearance, sale, and end of seaon we've been able to ensure the kids have the gear to stay warm and dry. Hand warmers (ones you put in gloves) are great!

The other major piece of safety equipment we all wear is our Tekvests. These have saved bruised or broken ribs many times and have assisted greatly on the "sled tip over" while the kids were learning to ride. A 500 or 600 lb sled can hurt a 80 to 100 lb kid pretty easy if rolled on top of them. This is probably one of my biggest fears as a parent given the likelihood of happening. To help provide quick support if this does happen we put the inexperienced kids in the MIDDLE of our riding group so they can follow easily yet have immediate help if they do roll or tip over.

We've had great times together and the bonding experience built sledding is like no other! From backcountry lessons learned to the fun had staying in hotels away from home its been great.

Stay safe, be prepared, and have fun!
 

Iron Horse Racing

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At 53, I have been hanging out in the back country summer and winter since I was old enough to walk....learnt a lot of bad habits by some good meaning people.....took an interest in outdoor education in my teens when I got into climbing, so when my kids starting sledding, they had already been exposed to survival education and had taken the adult first aid course ( even though they would not receive the cert for it) They cut their teeth learning to sled in and around the Edmonton area...then a short trip to the foot hills, when we decided to venture towards the mountains the first thing was read up on the latest survival techniques, avalanche awareness, entry level places to go and then we booked an AST 1 course. We already had avalanche gear from back country travels. It was my second time taking the course and had spent time teaching them for our back country tips but thought it time to get an update.

On this similar note: yesterday I spent over an hour with a work colleague trying to convince him of the importance of this education as he was chatting about his Holiday trip to Valemont and McBride with his two teenage boys and he pointed out that none of them had any training and that it was all common sense....they did take beacons but I was able to determine that they really didn't know how to use them....but he was okay with that because they didn't have any problems and didn't see any avalanches...it made me just want to scream....

I tried to point out the risk he was putting his family and others in by going into an area so ill prepared...but I am afraid I failed he doesn't see the risk, talk about sticking your head in the sand.....
 
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MOMMA

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At 53, I have been hanging out in the back country summer and winter since I was old enough to walk....learnt a lot of bad habits by some good meaning people.....took an interest in outdoor education in my teens when I got into climbing, so when my kids starting sledding, they had already been exposed to survival education and had taken the adult first aid course ( even though they would not receive the cert for it) They cut their teeth learning to sled in and around the Edmonton area...then a short trip to the foot hills, when we decided to venture towards the mountains the first thing was read up on the latest survival techniques, avalanche awareness, entry level places to go and then we booked an AST 1 course. We already had avalanche gear from back country travels. It was my second time taking the course and had spent time teaching them for our back country tips but thought it time to get an update.

On this similar note: yesterday I spent over an hour with a work colleague trying to convince him of the importance of this education as he was chatting about his Holiday trip to Valemont and McBride with his two teenage boys and he pointed out that none of them had any training and that it was all common sense....they did take beacons but I was able to determine that they really didn't know how to use them....but he was okay with that because they didn't have any problems and didn't see any avalanches...it made me just want to scream....

I tried to point out the risk he was putting his family and others in by going into an area so ill prepared...but I am afraid I failed he doesn't see the risk, talk about sticking your head in the sand.....

You tried your hardest. That's all you can do, as one person... but I think that is why as a community we have a greater voice. Hopefully he'll walk smack dab into someone who read a thread such as this, someone who may have lost a loved one who was full of his type of "common sense" or some other avy, and winter survival trained person who sees through his as you did. Someone in our sledding community who is one of "US". We are Sledders, they are people who had enough money to purchase snowmobiles. Big Difference. When we are one voice, we are barely a whisper, but when all of us sledders speak out we are an audible voice that is hard to ignore. Don't feel you have failed. You planted the seed... Hopefully he will be reached before someone he loves is harmed or even killed.

High five for trying

Momma :)
 
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