First thing patrol will do is a beacon search < shrug > all the high horses in the world ain't going to make people competent rescuers, that ain't going to change.
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true dat, but I still maintain the above. If you're anywhere anyone might need to search for you you should prolly also have your kit.
^^^isn't that really up to you and your party's risk acceptance? especially in-bounds.
Although I agree that a good Samaritan would keep it around to help people not in their party as well. But if everyone starts wearing beacons in-bounds, you are going to see more people not knowing how to turn them to search and fucking it up anyways, as this video shows.
And patrollers w/o beacons and taking false credit for the rescue? I hope I'm wrong, but are there any patrol veterans who could comment on if they think standards are falling or what? Just mentioning because of the crazy number of crazy incidents lately
It's nice to have if I need to anchor in to something (using the P-cord or a rope if available) when cutting cornices and so forth. Definitely not something I use every day but since it weighs about 8oz, why not?
I also decided that I don't need the ruler since my probe works for that too.
I can't say for sure, I didn't check all patrollers for their beacons, but, i heard one patroller asking another if he could search a particular area, cuz he didn't have his.
And I agree, ideally everyone carries beacon/shovel/probe. Mandatory in uncontrolled avy terrain. for those that prefer not to carry a pack inbounds, why not at least wear the beacon so that others including patrol have an easier time finding you. obviously, not much help for rescue, but... and what about the little ones? shouldn't they all be beeping?
I have carried every ski day for the past 6 years and I feel naked without all of it. not to mention the back protection provided by a pack has saved my back numerous times over the years.