finding out just how hard it is.

[RXN]

5 of us rode Belle all weekend. Skill levels ranging from beginner to novice.
I brought up a spare beacon with me. and we played find the beacon in one meadow.

Not as easy as everyone expected. Couple of the guys were able to locate the right area with in 4ft. However when the beacon was burried a ways. It was hard to find as the probe would miss it.

In doing this I got to compare my Tracker with my spare SOS.
Think I like the SOS better. Either way I was surprised to learn how hard it is, I would definitely never want to be involved in a situation where I need to use my beacon.

And it showed me I need to refresh with another avy course.

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

5 of us rode Belle all weekend. Skill levels ranging from beginner to novice.
I brought up a spare beacon with me. and we played find the beacon in one meadow.

Not as easy as everyone expected. Couple of the guys were able to locate the right area with in 4ft. However when the beacon was burried a ways. It was hard to find as the probe would miss it.

In doing this I got to compare my Tracker with my spare SOS.
Think I like the SOS better. Either way I was surprised to learn how hard it is, I would definitely never want to be involved in a situation where I need to use my beacon.

And it showed me I need to refresh with another avy course.

Practice until it is second nature.

 

[Rbrduk]

For me, its not the locating with the transceiver that takes the time. It's the probing and digging.

Like said before, practice, practice, practice. once you think you'r good at it, practice some more.

 

[rwjk0]

Agreed! I've also often wondered, we all wear our $1000.00 Avy packs, but I'm not all that sure that while being chased down the mountain by an Avy and trying to maneuver my sled out of danger. Would I even remember to grab the ripcord or would I be too focused on trying to steer clear of the danger zone. Being that I only ride a few times a year I'm quite certain it just wouldn't be instinct to reach for it.

 

[pete gads]

Yes. Friend was killed in avy. Let me tell you when ch!t hits the fan, panic sets in fast. You must be sure of what to do and when to do it. Organize the group. I dont know if you came upon a avy and didnt know the person you would just do what ever to help. But when your right there and best friend is buried, boy I dont wish that on my worst enemy

 

[RXN]

Anyone else burry a beacon from time to time to see how well their group can find it?

 

[nast70]

Some friends of mine are planning a trip out in March. 2-3 experienced guys with 3-4 rookies (i'm staying home ). Hope they don't take any chances and take it easy. I'm going to encouage them to practice some basic skills on day trips before hand. I would love to help with that, never been to the mountains, so if an opportunity arrises i'm not as useless as a tit on a ram.

 

[the_real_wild1]

When you get good at finding one beacon then go bury two close to each other and get good at finder those. I was recently fooled by that test as I had the signal from the second beacon that was a meter away. But after the first was found I had second guessed myself that there was a second beacon. Stilled pissed that I gave up on that signal.

 

[moyiesledhead]

For me, its not the locating with the transceiver that takes the time. It's the probing and digging.

Like said before, practice, practice, practice. once you think you'r good at it, practice some more.

I said this on another post, and I'll repeat it here. PRACTICE hazard and terrain assessment as much, or in my mind even more than you practice beacon searches. Better to recognize the hazard in the first place and never need to use your beacon, probe, and shovel! If you're doing that.....a mistake has already been made.

 

[T-team]

Talk to curtis pawliuk from valemount.. he has a VERY VERY good course planned out where they do that.... When we did it they would have one burined on a slope... and even two buried close together... he even had a big sign buried with them to make it easier to strike with the probe.. and STILL it was a real eye opener on how difficult a situation can be and how UN-Prepared you can be at the time.

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

When you get good at finding one beacon then go bury two close to each other and get good at finder those. I was recently fooled by that test as I had the signal from the second beacon that was a meter away. But after the first was found I had second guessed myself that there was a second beacon. Stilled pissed that I gave up on that signal.

Turn the beacons off as you find them, that way you will know if there are still transceivers to be found.

 

[the_real_wild1]

My beacon has a multi burial function that works well but I never used it in the confusion like I should have.

 

[summitstef]

I'll be completely honest here, my heart is always in my mouth heading up into the alpine, wondering if we're going to have an uneventful day or not. Almost to the point where I'm not enjoying myself anymore. Although I do know what to look for in terms of unsafe conditions, there is always the hidden danger that I just can't seem to shake. Yes, I do have an updated beacon, avalanche bag, probe and shovel but like many have posted previously, I hope like hell that I never have to use any of it to save myself or anyone in the group.

 

[Ministik Man]

It is so easy to practice in the off season too
just have one guy walk someplace and hide it under the grass / junk and go find it
it is way easier in the warm weather and you can take the time to talk and figure it out
Then refresh again at the start of your sledding trips

 

[007sevens]

I will say one thing here. Get the training form a qualified trainer such Zacs Tracs and get everybody in your group trained. It puts everybody on the same game plan when ch!t does happen. There is NO room for inexperience when you are dealing with an avalanche burial situation.
There is so much more to life than to be messing around in the hills sledding deciding in the meadow to see if your group can find a beacon in a none life threading situation.

Think people think.

 

[Ride Whistler]

Put your tranceivers in a ziploc bag and place a shovel blade flat over it so you can get an actual probe strike. Time it....


www.ridewithchrisbrown.com

 

[ferniesnow]

I thought all the SOS analog beacons were retired. If not, IMHO, they should be! Yes, they are better than nothing and those that are very familiar with them get them to work well but nothing compared to the newer digital beacons that are great for multiple burials, have stronger signals, and work way easier, etc..

Practise is something one needs to doo all the time. Start out with the group assembly in the parking lot in the morning and a "beacon check". Bury a beacon (Chris has a great idea with the bag and shovel) away from the cabin while having lunch (has to be a little bit away as there will be lots of beacons to interfere) and doo your searching. If there is an Avalanche Awareness Day going on, participate! The dudes and dudettes form the CAC are awesome to work with.

Ministik Man also has a great idea. Summer practise without snow is always an easy way to learn and re-fresh.

 

[moyiesledhead]

I'll be completely honest here, my heart is always in my mouth heading up into the alpine, wondering if we're going to have an uneventful day or not. Almost to the point where I'm not enjoying myself anymore.

Not necessarily a bad thing. Fear has saved more lives than complacency. The trick is not letting it take away the fun. Easier said than done sometimes.

 

[Bnorth]

I'll be completely honest here, my heart is always in my mouth heading up into the alpine, wondering if we're going to have an uneventful day or not. Almost to the point where I'm not enjoying myself anymore. Although I do know what to look for in terms of unsafe conditions, there is always the hidden danger that I just can't seem to shake. Yes, I do have an updated beacon, avalanche bag, probe and shovel but like many have posted previously, I hope like hell that I never have to use any of it to save myself or anyone in the group.

Have you had formal avalanche training specifically AST1 or better? I was very nervous as well before I did one because I was new to the sport and the winter backcountry and did not know what to look for. After some formal training I am much more aware of what terrain I'm in and what the risks are. I have found a little knowledge has eased some of that anxiety as I am better able to assess the risk and potential danger areas. I'm not advocating complacency but instead knowing what you're doing and where you are as opposed to worrying blindly.