Tahoe/Mammoth beacon practice

**Mgof** · 03-12-2008, 12:17 PM

Will be unemployed in Tahoe and/or Mammoth areas through the end of the season. Skiing everyday will make my legs very tired. Gonna get into backcountry but no expendable $$$ for Avy1 course so figured I'd spend down days reading Avy books, digging pits, beacon practice sessions, etc... Then get out for some simple tours w/ a group of 2 or more experienced tourers so that I'm never running point if shit hits the fan (of course that's contingent on said skiers deciding I'm worth the effort). Any interest in beacon practice?

also Xposting in Hook Up forum...

**The Dad** · 03-12-2008, 01:44 PM

I know that Alpine has at least one beacon buried most days. Ask any on-duty patroller where; they should know.

**Mgof** · 03-12-2008, 02:05 PM

Thanks. I'm assuming no lift ticket purchase is required???

**The Dad** · 03-12-2008, 03:55 PM

Well, probably not technically, but it's not like we bury beacons at the bottom of the lifts. There's usually one on Shadey's Hill (between Yellow and Hot Wheels Gully), and the other popular place is D7. On the plus side, spring passes are only $139...

**Sinecure** · 03-12-2008, 06:15 PM

On the plus, plus side, I'm pretty sure we don't stop people from skinning up the mountain. You can't go on a closed trail, but you can go anyplace that's open. We do check tickets on all lifts these days so its unlikely you'll be able to poach anything, but skinning is cool.

**Mgof** · 03-12-2008, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Sinecure

On the plus, plus side, I'm pretty sure we don't stop people from skinning up the mountain. You can't go on a closed trail, but you can go anyplace that's open. We do check tickets on all lifts these days so its unlikely you'll be able to poach anything, but skinning is cool.

All the better. I've got a pass at that mountain next door, which is the reason I've no $ for a course.

**The Dad** · 03-12-2008, 08:49 PM

That mountain next door, by contrast, has a closed boundaries policy. Just saying.

**Mgof** · 03-12-2008, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by alpinedad

That mountain next door, by contrast, has a closed boundaries policy. Just saying.

I know, I know

As much as I love the terrain this is probably the first and last year of my passholding days there. I'd rather spend half if not less on a pass, tour more, and use the remainder to pay for lift tickets while roadtripping dirtbag style to the PNW, Jackson, SLC, etc...

**hutash** · 03-18-2008, 06:26 PM

Mammoth now has a beacon practice area at Gus's meadow near main lodge, and one by the visitors center in town. They are set up for single or multiple searches.

**karma** · 03-19-2008, 12:08 AM

Sqauw has a beacon practice area... 6 beacons, controls are on the wall of the shack at the bottom of the magic carpet infront of childrens world. Just flip on whatever beacons you want and search away. No digging, not probeable and the beacons dont function seperated from the system.