Stating the obvious

[shera]

When I ski with experienced people, I feel so much more comfortable. It's like a well oiled machine: snow evaulation, routefinding on the way up, choosing lines and safezones for the trip down, executing a piggybacked set of ski stretches down the hill. High fives at the bottom. Happy times.

At the same time, I feel some obligation to take new people out and give back what was given to me. But I really, really need a few things from even the most inexperienced people. Stuff that's different from inbounds skiing. I ski so much in the backcountry that I take these things for granted, until someone comes out and makes me feel uncomfortable. So please:

-Ski one at a time, when it's your turn
-Do not ski above others
-Do not change choice of lines on a whim

As a matter of aesthetics, please do not cross my tracks. I went to a lot of trouble to get up there and paint those brush strokes. And don't you want your own line anyway?

I'm not trying to be harsh - I just want to say this stuff here, so I don't have to say it over and over on the hill and rain on everyone's experience...

[Trackhead]

Agreed with all of the above.

I told my brother to not mar my elitist tracks while skiing in our backyard today.

[AltaPowderDaze]

-Ski one at a time, when it's your turn
-Do not ski above others
-Do not change choice of lines on a whim

As a matter of aesthetics, please do not cross my tracks. I went to a lot of trouble to get up there and paint those brush strokes. And don't you want your own line anyway?

i feel for you. it sucks to have to explain the same stuff over and over on the hill. i'm lucky that the people i go out with know their stuff well enough to not have to deal with it. it is also scary to have to explain this to someone you thought was experienced int he bc. i haven't had to do that yet.

the one at a time is very important but once we hit the flats it's just about keeping up.

skiing and stopping above you partner is just plain wrong on the steeps. i've been hit with a slough this way and was not happy.

it is important to know where you are going for several reasons. it gives you all a good idea where to sit in safezones and you should know your line so you can plan exits.

crossing tracks never really bothers me unless we are on vastly open slopes. after all, i ski chutes, most of which aren't wide enough for separate sets of tracks. once in the drainage it's all about turning when and where you can. no matter where the tracks are.

[shera]

Agreed with all of the above.

I told my brother to not mar my elitist tracks while skiing in our backyard today.

I deserve some ribbing over this. But I get so infatuated with my tracks.

As far as maching down the runouts, yeah sure. Just want to say that last year I set off a wet rotty slide on a little rollover way down at the bottom of a tour where it was much hotter temps - went right to the ground. Rode it on my ass the whole way. And my partner had skied off too far to be of any timely help if something had gone wrong. FYI.

[AltaPowderDaze]

As far as maching down the runouts, yeah sure. Just want to say that last year I set off a wet rotty slide on a little rollover way down at the bottom of a tour where it was much hotter temps - went right to the ground. Rode it on my ass the whole way. And my partner had skied off too far to be of any timely help if something had gone wrong. FYI.

i worry about that too. that is one of the reasons why i like to go first and i constantly stop and look. when i'm following i stick within earshot.

[cololi]

I don't care if someone crosses my tracks. When I'm down, it's a quick peek over the shoulder, and if they are impressive turns or a great picture, I'll take a quick pic. Otherwise, once I'm down, I could care less what you do with my tracks.

I go out with people with less experience a lot. When doing so, I make sure we go to a relatively safe spot. I try to show them the ropes, give them some advice, etc. Sometimes, they go again with me, sometimes they don't. There was atime when I was in the other position, and I look forward to passing my experiences on to others. It doesn't matter who I am with, on sketchy days, I always feel uncomfortable. Luckily, I've found some good, safe spots in the wasatch that aren't too crowded on high danger days.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Firstly, I think you are talking about two different things. I can think of plenty of "experienced" people I could never be comfortable with. I can also think other people of "new people" and take touring in a heart beat.

People give me shit for always touring with the same people. Communication and behavior patterns are the main reason. I think my background as a kayaker has a lot to do with it. Difficult whitewater relies even more heavily on a strong group dynamic that BC skiing. That being said, I take my fair share of newbies into the BC. I recomend that you structure the day in a guide/ client fashion. Be very upfront about the fact that thinks are going to be done your way. If they fuck up on the pricipals you outlined, refuse to take them again. I recomend having a tail gunner for your own safety and sticking to very mellow terrain. If they don't have the patience to learn, fuck em.

Experience BC skiers whos' protocols you don't like is a much easier subject. The answer is simply, don't go with them. Don't give them second chances. This is why I don't get by backcountry partners on the internet.

[shera]

I don't care if someone crosses my tracks. When I'm down, it's a quick peek over the shoulder, and if they are impressive turns or a great picture, I'll take a quick pic. Otherwise, once I'm down, I could care less what you do with my tracks.

I have trouble getting a decent picture sometimes. My turns aren't impressive anyway. I should get over myself.

There was atime when I was in the other position, and I look forward to passing my experiences on to others.

Exactly. I just wanted to say some things here that are, what, counter-intuitive for someone that only skis inbounds?

[marshalolson]

-Do not change choice of lines on a whim

i think this is a very important one... routes down are based on "the plan" at the top. i have been put into uncomortable and unsafe situations because of people changing their route after i drop in...