Been reading through these posts lately

**GheePup** · 11-13-2006, 04:17 PM

Great info in here, BTW.

And today I got two offers to ski the Teton Pass. I know the snow would have been sick. The problem is I have no avi gear nor b/c experience so I declined both offers. I think one guy understood why I declined, or he just did not push the issue, but the other did not understand.

The one that did not understand why I declined proceeded to explained that Glory Bowl is not likely to slide this early in the season and they control it so it won't slide onto the pass. I am not familiar with the pass as I did not ski it last season, but I believe I now where he was talking about. If that thing slid I believe it would be very bad news for anyone caught in it. He knows nothing about the stability of the layers and neither do I. He and I both know it is deep and would be fun if all went well. BTW, he does not own a beacon, shovel or probe either. It bothers me that he was pushing me to go out tomorrow without proper eq and knowledge after a good sized dump.

Digging some pits, having the proper gear and asking some knowledeable folks would be a different story. Not likely I will ever be b/c with this guy. The other one maybe?

Is the warm weather that we had for a week or so before this latest storm cycle going to be a big issue now? Seems to me that the pack was fairly thin before the warm cycle and with this new cold weather it could have created a little DH at the base? Did we get enough of an insulating layer to prevent DH? Is mid-depth sugar more of an issue now? Or maybe the bonding between layers is good at this point in the season? Keep in mind I am a total b/c jong and just want to understand what is going on now so if I plan on going out later in the season when I am more well equiped and hear something along "this line looks good" and I have a funny (well not so funny feeling) I can say "no, I am not skiing that, lets move along and look for something else that looks just as funny but feels a little safer."

Above sketchy lines I like to take my time. I knock snow off into it and watch where it goes and what it does. I pay attention to details. I always have an alternative route or two planned before I drop in while skiing resort or side county. What if that doesn't work then where am I going? I am going there. Just seems that in the b/c that alternative route or 2 is way more crucial than inbounds and the deciding factors are more life or death.

I must add I will prolly not get out into the b/c this season unless I get a avi 1 course under my belt and a crew that is much more experienced than me. I always love skiing with more experienced peeps than myself.

**Dug** · 11-14-2006, 07:43 AM

I think you have the right attitude. Basically, don't go BC until you pick up the proper equipment, picked up a copy of Bruce Tremper's "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain" and read it from cover to cover, have practiced enough with your beeper that you would feel confident enough to use it WELL in a hypothetical situation where your whole family just got burried before your very eyes (adrenaline in a high-stress scenario), and then found some experienced BC buddies.

As for the guy who wanted to go without proper prep/equip, try to explain to him why doing what he wanted would have been a very bad idea. The more people that are aware of the risks involved, the better.

Wow, I hope I'm not preaching. I don't even ski backcountry (at the moment)!

**FrankZappa** · 11-14-2006, 11:34 AM

Also a good read is the Snowy Torrents. There are a few volumes. Most are out of print I think but local libraries are good at having or getting them in. It's also a perfect read for the water closet since each report if fairly short.

It's basically a whole bunch of avy accidents. But as you read it you'll notice plenty of people died cuz of the lack of all the thing you mention. The one that bugs me are the lil' innocent looking slopes that many folks would never suspect.

It's a lot better/safer to learn from others mistakes, and that's what these books are great for.

I admire your attitude and patience to wait 'til you're equiped. Good luck.

**homemadesalsa** · 11-14-2006, 02:22 PM

Hey Targhee pup- good call on not going to Glory with your bud. Those are tough calls to make.

if you want to learn more, come sign up for the Yostmark A1 that is December 8, 9, 10 in Driggs. We have a good time and get out in the backcountry enough for you to pick up some decent habits.

See you out there!

homemadesalsa

**The Suit** · 11-14-2006, 10:40 PM

You probably already know about this, but you should be reading the BTNF Avalanche Center Forecast every day, whether you're planning to ski or not.

**GheePup** · 11-15-2006, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by The Suit

You probably already know about this, but you should be reading the BTNF Avalanche Center Forecast every day, whether you're planning to ski or not.

Thank you. That is now added to my favorites.

**DanKo** · 11-15-2006, 12:45 AM

"Snow Sense" is the most-accessible read.

Found myself in a situation very similar to your last year around this time. My curiosities and skiing were pushing me to boundaries and areas requiring equipment. Get it, read-up and get after it.

**Hutch** · 11-15-2006, 12:49 AM

JH snowobs is a good site for locals, too

http://www.jhsnowobs.org/

**rideit** · 11-15-2006, 09:14 PM

Admirable, Ghee.
Just for a little perspective, a few years ago a guy died in Glory proper, this time of the year, when there was a mere 25" of snow coverage. He slid 2000 feet, and came to rest 10 feet from the road. WYDOT does not 'control' with recreational users in mind...they pretty much only get involved when it is pretty damn obvious that the snow/wind events need to be mitigated.
Go to the Yost classes...you will learn a lot, and with your attitude, I think you should be able to find willing mentors. Also, having a beacon is useless without practice...Targhee patrol does a beacon test at a variety of locations, good practice opportunities. Good luck!