Inbounds Avy at Crystal

[Hugh Conway]

I guess my feeling is that if you're in a situation safe enough not to carry a pack, there's not much point in wearing a beacon either.

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.

[oftpiste]

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.

[ShadyNasty]

^^^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

[PNWbrit]

Here's my flowchart:

Am I skiing*? If yes, wear beacon and kit**. If no, do not wear beacon and kit.

*for me, skiing at Baker where the boundaries are open and the inbounds, controlled areas can get pretty darn sporting, my partners and I prefer to have the option for properly-equipped backcountry travel immediately instead of having to return to the car to get our gear. There's also the inbounds self-sufficiency idea I already mentioned. When I'm traveling I'm sure as shit wearing my full kit because I probably don't have the same knowledge of terrain and snowpack as I do at home and I definitely did not travel to ski groomers or park.

People can justify their actions however they see fit. The above works for me.

**photo of my kit as carried yesterday and tomorrow.

Clockwise from top left:
skins, shovel, probe, saw, extra gloves, harness, Float 22, "Safety bag" (first aid kit, cpr mask/gloves, 50' knotted p-cord, space blanket, fire starter, strobe, multi-tool), water bottle, knife, spare goggles, headlight, compass, snow study kit, voile straps, yowie/buffs.
Add an extra layer and food per daily requirements and I'm good to go just about anywhere that's not glaciated.

Hop, I'm a little curious about the inclusion of a harness (on it's own?).

[hop]

Hop, I'm a little curious about the inclusion of a harness (on it's own?).

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.

[Amphibious1]

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.