One tip to meeting Maggots for ski touring

[Trackhead]

Perhaps you're going to be in Utah, or Colorado, and you would like someone to show you around, no problem. Happy to show people around, but there are some common sense points that obviously need to be addressed.

1. Have a beacon, shovel, AND A PROBE! And don't show up in the morning never having used any of them. Do you think we want to tour with someone who has never done a search with their beacon? It's entirely disrespectful to be part of a group, and not know how to use the basic avy tools. I don't assume people know, I ask. Yeah, it may seem harsh, but I enjoy my life, and I expect my partners to be atleast versed in beacon searches, and HAVE A PROBE!

It's not cool on a bluebird powder day to show up unprepared, and completely lacking any prior motivation to have rudimentary knowledge about beacons-probes-shovels. You're part of a touring group, you're not being guided. If you need a guide, hire one.

Again, if you don't have the knowledge, just be honest and let your partners know. If you don't, have fun living with the guilt when your partner takes his last breath while you try to figure out how to turn your beacon to search mode.

End rant.

[iskibc]

Good point.

[meatdrink9]

While we're ranting I'd like to add that if you show up to a "sexy party" you better damn well know how to operate a lesbostrap 9K. My insurance provider is not going to be pleased to see another claim for a missing eye.

So who was it?

[Rontele]

what if you show up with a studfinder?

someone just got called out by TH. PW3ND.

[Sir Jongalot]

I thought you always provided the transpiepers and carry the shovels and probers and would rescue me.

[dang]

tip #2

You need to at least make an attempt to break trail. No one cares if you aren't in the greatest of shape.
But they DO care if you don't make an effort to contribute. It's a group of people touring TOGETHER, not a guided trip. So make an offer, and break for a few minutes here and there.

If you don't break trail, then you will be receiving a bill at the end of the day.

[Sir Jongalot]

Yeah but that one time my backcountry skier friend made me break trail and then got mad when I "set" the track straight up and slid and then tumbled back down the track backwards.

tip #2

You need to at least make an attempt to break trail. No one cares if you aren't in the greatest of shape.
But they DO care if you don't make an effort to contribute. It's a group of people touring TOGETHER, not a guided trip. So make an offer, and break for a few minutes here and there.

If you don't break trail, then you will be receiving a bill at the end of the day.

[Trackhead]

someone just got called out by TH. PW3ND.

I'm sorry, I don't understand your numeric/alphabetical combo jargon.

[Rontele]

I'm sorry, I don't understand your numeric/alphabetical combo jargon.

neither do I. but in all seriousness, this is a very important thread.

[zion zig zag]

tip #2

You need to at least make an attempt to break trail. No one cares if you aren't in the greatest of shape.
But they DO care if you don't make an effort to contribute. It's a group of people touring TOGETHER, not a guided trip. So make an offer, and break for a few minutes here and there.

If you don't break trail, then you will be receiving a bill at the end of the day.

Hah, this is funny because I owe Trackhead and crew a full day of trailbreaking. Or he could just send me a bill.

[skiitsbetter]

Good stuff, I think my group could itself could use a bit of brushing up on their touring etiquette...

[Ireallyliketoski2]

Great post TH. I'd even further to say at least have basic knowledge of first aid, how to stop bleeding and perform CPR. Digging someone out is only part of the deal. Come to think of it you're probably best off simply not getting caught in the avalanche in the first place, as survival after that point has as much to so with luck as skill, but that's another topic altogether.

As for breaking trail, I specifically go touring with some people when I don't feel like breaking trail, I think it helps build up their fragile egos.

[Trackhead]

As for breaking trail, I specifically go touring with some people when I don't feel like breaking trail, I think it helps build up their fragile egos.

I have no expectations or concerns about trail breaking. I'm happy to do it, or share the work. Trail breaking isn't a safety issue. Some days I break trail all day, other days, I sit in the back of the 'peleton' so to speak.

[Ireallyliketoski2]

I have no expectations or concerns about trail breaking. I'm happy to do it, or share the work. Trail breaking isn't a safety issue. Some days I break trail all day, other days, I sit in the back of the 'peleton' so to speak.

I dig, I should have added an emoticon to relate the facetious nature of my comment regarding my opinion of breaking trail. I find that unless I'm touring solo someone else is doing the work, as I could possibly be the slowest person on skis.

[iskibc]

I enjoy breaking trail. It's adventuresome and fun. I usually volunteer if I'm familiar with the route. Don't really mind it at all, unless I'm low on energy or not feeling well.

[rideit]

I imagine you (or the newbie) had a bit of a tense day.
Good points all, folks.

And the person being shown around should at LEAST buy the first round of beers, if not dinner.


Or a handjob, whatever is more appropriate.

[WWCD]

unless I'm low on energy or not feeling well.

We will see the Cubs win before that happens.

[Rontele]

I imagine you (or the newbie) had a bit of a tense day.
Good points all, folks.

And the person being shown around should at LEAST buy the first round of beers, if not dinner.


Or a handjob, whatever is more appropriate.

Agree completely. When Dirk Diggler showed me around the jackson and routt county lines, I insisted on buying breakfast. It was the least I can do. And since I am slow, I am rarely in a position to break trail, though iskibc has some photos to the contrary

If that is the case, I without question allow the person that broke trail the first choice of lines and let them ski first. Even when offered to me (as Dirk Diggler did because I was the "guest" I still insisted that he board down first due to breaking trail.

[cold_smoke]

Hey Trackhead-
might be in SLC area thursday want to tour? Do you have a beacon I can borrow? (later comment was a joke...)

In all seriousness liketoski had a good point also...re: CPR

[skiitsbetter]

Agree completely. When Dirk Diggler showed me around the jackson and routt county lines, I insisted on buying breakfast. It was the least I can do. And since I am slow, I am rarely in a position to break trail, though iskibc has some photos to the contrary

If that is the case, I without question allow the person that broke trail the first choice of lines and let them ski first. Even when offered to me (as Dirk Diggler did because I was the "guest" I still insisted that he board down first due to breaking trail.

That way, he can find all the rocks!!!

[smitchell333]

I agree on knowing your equipment. Never having opened a probe or done a multiple burial search with the beacon does not bode well for rescue and if you're not able to help you might as well stay home.

On the trail breaking I'd say I don't mind doing it myself as I like to do it as part of my snow pack assessment. Its too easy sitting in the peloton to not think for your self or notice how skis and poles are interacting with the untouched snow.

[Rontele]

Its too easy sitting in the peloton to not think for your self or notice how skis and poles are interacting with the untouched snow.

When in the peloton, I am anal about getting off the track and probing around to test the snow surface. If not just for my own knowledge, but to contribute when a snowpack assesment is made.

[truth]

I think a studfinder will usually suffice TH.

[cramer]

I agree on knowing your equipment. Never having opened a probe or done a multiple burial search with the beacon does not bode well for rescue and if you're not able to help you might as well stay home.

On the trail breaking I'd say I don't mind doing it myself as I like to do it as part of my snow pack assessment. Its too easy sitting in the peloton to not think for your self or notice how skis and poles are interacting with the untouched snow.

is there training for a "multiple burial search"? As for the trail breaking, id think you want the experienced guy doing as mention here.

[jahoney]

is there training for a "multiple burial search"?

exactly what I was gonna ask.

how would you guys want us to practice this kinda stuff