I was reading another blog by Bryce Phillips, owner of EVOGear.com, with an account of an absolutely crazy avalanche incident that happened in British Columbia near Mt. Waddington in the Coast Range. Have a read… it is pretty miraculous that everyone escaped serious injury. The reality is that avalanches are scary buggers. They are unpredictable and can be deadly. So, why do we risk heading into the backcountry and what can we do to cover all the bases every time we go out?
First and foremost is having the proper equipment and knowing how to use it. Without an avalanche beacon and working knowledge on how to use it in a rescue situation, you are a walking liability. What’s worse, your friends are the ones that can die because you don’t know what you’re doing. You are the one that will be saving or not saving your friend who was just buried by a slide.
Don’t forget to round out the equipment with a probe and a sturdy shovel. For goodness sakes, get yourself a metal-bladed shovel with a D-shaped handle. They are much more efficient snow movers and when you’re digging up your best friend, every second counts.
After you have all the equipment covered, you need to get educated–not only on how to use your new equipment, but on backcountry safety and etiquette. Go to a library and check out books on avalanche safety. Visit the Utah Avalanche Center’s Books & Video section to see what books they recommend. There’s even one written by Bruce Tremper, who runs the UAC. There are a ton of resources… please get yourself educated before skiing, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling in the backcountry so you don’t put you, your buddies or others in danger by pulling something stupid.
Just as a reminder, avalanches can happen even when we least expect it. The photo below shows that even early-season avalanches can happen. This one was skier-triggered on Mt. Baldy within the Alta Ski Area boundary on Oct. 18, 2007. Note that Alta was not open for the season and was not doing normal avalanche control work at this point.
Where do I find more information on avalanche safety in Utah?
The Utah Avalanche Center is the place with the most information on avalanches along the Wasatch Front. They have education courses taught throughout the winter. And their Web site has tons and tons of resources to keep you on top of avalanche conditions and slide activity in Utah. We support the UAC 100% and encourage you to do the same. Not only be visiting the site and using the information, but by donating to help them keep us all safe in the backcountry.
Links: Utah Avalanche Center - Make A Donation
Where do I get the proper equipment?
The boys at Backcountry.com have you covered with all the avalanche safety gear you would ever need. You can also head to your local REI, Kirkham’s or the Black Diamond Store to hook yourself up with the latest avalanche safety gear. Here’s a few items we recommend:
Mammut Pulse Barryvox Beacon - $449.95
This beacon uses all-new technology to perform a 360-degree search for even multiple victims. Arrows show the shortest route to the victim and eliminate precious wasted time. When it comes to saving someone fast, a trained user of the Mammut Pulse Barryvox Beacon would get there fast.
Black Diamond Covert Backpack with Avalung - $199.90
The Avalung is the only tool you can have that will actually help save your own life. Everything else is meant to help you save someone else’s life. The Avalung has been proven to allow continuous airflow in a burial situation. With proper use, you could breathe for a long time while completely buried in avalanche debris. Granted, should you fall and get pummeled into the rocks or trees, you’ll be dead already, but if you get buried alive, and your buddies can find you within an hour, the Avalung will likely save your life!
Life-Link Backcountry Series Carbon Speed Light Probe (246cm) - $69.90
When you need to use a probe, it should be out and ready to use quickly. The Life-Link Carbon Speed Light Probe is super light and assembles in seconds. I tested this out at Outdoor Retailer and found it quick and easy to assemble–just toss it out and pull the wire tight and in about 1-2 seconds, you’re up and running with a long, sturdy probe. There are plenty of other avalanche probes as well.
Voile Telepro Shovel - $39.95This backcountry staple is a quick and efficient snow mover. I know D-handles are bulky, but I won’t use anything but because it’s plain and simple to understand that a D-handle is easier to use and offers more leverage than any other shovel handle on the market. Don’t even mess around with the Ortovox side handle thinger or anything plastic… T-handles are OK, but if you’re serious about digging people out and fast, get the Voile Telepro Shovel.
The first flakes are falling in the Wasatch. Finally. From new 