October Avalanche Conditions

[tedmcski]

Hey, I was out skiing recently and ran into some folks without avy gear. I know it's early in the season, but...

What do you think? Is it necessary in October to carry a beacon and everything?

[Sirshredalot]

Okay, now you're in the right forum.

The folks you saw were being stupid. There are lots of idiots out there. Don't let them think for you. If there's enough snow to ski, there's enough to slide. You could have some random little wind slab or whatever, and if that sweeps you into a terrain trap, that's enough to bury you. If you follow your avy reports, you will see some random hunters or ice climbers who get caught every November.

Just put your shit on every time you step out of the car at the trailhead. Yes, the slope that you're planning to ski probably isn't going to slide. There's no danger right there at your car. But if you thought that it probably WAS going to slide, you wouldn't be on it. Don't put yourself into the position where you're making that call. You're bringing the gear and wearing your beacon in case your decision making is flawed. What's the downside to being prepared? You spend an extra 50 cents on batteries this year and you hike with an extra 3 pounds of gear? The downside to not being prepared: you die or you watch your friends die.

[goodtimes]

In Canada there has historically been a number of fatalities in the early season. Quite often its ice climbers, but skiers to. Many people take the early season for granted. This year banff, glacier, k-county and CAA started to issue Socratic bulletins for the early season crowd in an attempt to educate the eager adventures

[sfotex]

Jason West - 11-14-2006 Silly Fork:



'nuff said.

[DropCliffsNotBombs]

A thin snowpack = a weak snowpack.