Solo Tours - think they're alright

[schindlerpiste]

Two things I don't do alone:
1) going out in the backcountry
2) SCUBA

[snowful]

Two things I don't do alone:
1) going out in the backcountry
2) SCUBA

You might have time for them if you cut out all the solo sex.

[ClearCutter]

poll: how many of you would go solo into alpine terrain in moderate avy conditions?

[Ireallyliketoski2]

I love skiing solo in alpine terrain in any avy conditions.

[PNWbrit]

poll: how many of you would go solo into alpine terrain in moderate avy conditions?

Poll: how many people doubt you know what you're talking about?

[Crass3000]

In the past I would have not given it much thought but since breaking my leg I would at least have one of those GPS tranponders that someone posted on the other page. As I'm sure many can contest, broken legs or blown knees kind of cramp your style. I certainly couldn't have got myself out -- who knows I guess if you want to survive maybe you could do more than you think but I'm guessing I would have been SOL. At least with a backpack of goodies to keep me warm though.

[telepariah]

poll: how many of you would go solo into alpine terrain in moderate avy conditions?

Often in my past. Not since I married because part of the deal I made to be with this woman is that I would respect her wishes in this case even though she doesn't understand how I am able to travel safely alone in the alpine. Now I always ski with partners but when I was single and didn't have someone dependent on me I did it all the time. I still run and bike in the mountains solo. That doesn't bother her like skiing solo does even though I could make the argument that the risk is equivalent.

I will ski in considerable or high avalanche conditions too but not any time anywhere with anybody. Has to be the right situation.

[monkeywrenchMoose]

Wow. This has to be one of the most productive, interesting discussions i've seen in the ski/snowboard forum in quite a while. Hope it continues.

I wouldn't say that I hope bad stuff happens, but I will constantly think about what I would do in the case of something bad happening.

I think in order to safely ski solo, you must be confident in your own abilities to travel in avalanche terrain. You don't get to talk over alternatives to anyone else and get their input. If you feel safe leading a group of people who have no idea what they're doing, I think you would be fine going out by yourself.

Lawless. I may have phrased that wrong. I too constantly think about what I would do if something bad happened.



I have heard a very valid argument that the personal GPS locators (spot, ACR) also provide a false sense of security and are now being abused. i.e. people are pressing the button when things get a little hairy and are totally forgetting about the concept of responsibility and self rescue. Does this make sense?

[wetcoaster]

Yes. But I also ratchet up the caution level.

[monkeywrenchMoose]

Here. Read this article about personal locator beacons. Discuss:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...a100601D23.DTL

[freeheel80731]

My caution level rises considerably when i'm solo

When i'm headed out by myself my focus is on staying safe first, and second really studying the snowpack (digging pits, paying attention to where good snow is versus crud that wouldn't be fun skiing). This way I am gonna have a much clearer picture of the snowpack and when my group and I do get out for some skiing we can make the most of it.

I take my time and enjoy being out by myself and the peace and quiet that goes along with it. Skiing and getting great turns is the last thing on my mind since that usually involves avalanche terrain.

I pretty much consider it a winter hike.

[Crass3000]

Here. Read this article about personal locator beacons. Discuss:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...a100601D23.DTL

I can see your point. People seem to abuse the system. Personally I would hope it would be impossible to accidently press the button. I would never use the GPS unless I broke leg, etc. but like you said that is taking some of the reponsibility away from myself. I guess if people want to take the if you're gonna die then suck it up I would not take the chance myself.

[ClearCutter]

I can see your point. People seem to abuse the system. Personally I would hope it would be impossible to accidently press the button. I would never use the GPS unless I broke leg, etc. but like you said that is taking some of the reponsibility away from myself. I guess if people want to take the if you're gonna die then suck it up I would not take the chance myself.

Prehaps some sort of waiver, that highlights when and when you cannot press the button would help. If the button is pressed in a non emergency situation, the person should get charged accordingly for the rescue costs & the transponder taken away indefinately.

As for the button getting pressed accidentaly...This would likely seem to be a design flaw of the transponders, as it should be impossible for the button to be accidentaly pressed if the transponder is just sitting in your backpack.

[powdork]

Prehaps some sort of waiver, that highlights when and when you cannot press the button would help. If the button is pressed in a non emergency situation, the person should get charged accordingly for the rescue costs & the transponder taken away indefinately.

i'm definitely not letting you take MY easy button!!

[RedWolf]

Solo trips are something that I value in my life, and I will not be changing that. I can't speak to touring alone, as I haven't done that, but I do take several solo backpacking trips a year by myself, often for a week or more at a time and usually most of the trip is off-trail. There's something extremely rewarding about my time alone in the wilderness, but no matter the risks, I will continue doing it.

[powdork]

It isn't really a false safety in numbers. There is without a doubt an increase in safety when travelling in groups as opposed to being alone.

really??

[schindlerpiste]

^^^
nice post.

[sparkletarte.]

definitely not me.

I don't do backsides solo either, particularly after I ran into a tree, and knowing that people have died in tree wells there. It's not the avy, it's the injuries. and with more young kids getting into doing backsides, I'd rather not have them think it's an okay thing to do, since we tell them not to.

[taylorm0]

There are plenty of old backcountry soloists around and there are plenty of bold backcountry soloists around, but there aren't a whole lot of old, bold, backcountry soloists around.

It's your God given right to put yourself in as much danger as you can stomach. And as long as your pursuits don't unknowingly endanger someone else, then knock yourself out.

well put

[mrwaffles989]

your sig got me thinking, we really need mrwaffles989 to chime in on this one.

I never said the quote in the sig. Sirfuckingjongalotdouchebag said that. blah blah, I never called SAR or needed rescue blah blah.

I go solo alot. It's better. People who bitch and moan just don't have enough self reliance. If something ever happens, I prepare for the worse. It would be my own damn fault. If I choose to go solo, I also choose to accept the risks/consequences. I know, I will prolly die soon.

[ski_faster]

Wow...I was expecting this thread to be full of a bunch of people blabbing verbal diarrhea about how obviously dangerous it is to go solo. Not the case at all so far. After all, most people that do head out seem to have a pretty good handle of exactly what risks they are assuming, so to point out the dangers of it is pretty fucking useless and obvious.

I've been out alone a few times and I really enjoyed it. It's just different and there are some benefits to it that a bunch of you already pointed out. I'd like to think I was really conservative the few times I have been out skiing alone. I do alot of solo scrambling and hiking in the summer when I can't find climbing partners also, and I find that in all cases (skiing / hiking / scrambling ect) I feel much more keyed in to my environment. Very relaxing peaceful feeling to it. It's the ultimate in self discipline, risk management, and self responsibility in an age where every one wants to blame some one else for what happens. I find that refreshing.

I normally don't really talk about my solo trips with people because most just simply don't get it unless they do it themself. I find that people that lack understanding of the activity are usually the biggest nay sayers.

I agree with time2clmb. I ski in the backcountry usually once a week mainly because there isn't a lot of partners around here that have mid week off, or I stink. I stay away from big lines when I am out by myself. I enjoy being outside by myself but I really like skiing big lines with friends.

[Ted Striker]

I never said the quote in the sig. Sirfuckingjongalotdouchebag said that. blah blah, I never called SAR or needed rescue blah blah.

I go solo alot. It's better. People who bitch and moan just don't have enough self reliance. If something ever happens, I prepare for the worse. It would be my own damn fault. If I choose to go solo, I also choose to accept the risks/consequences. I know, I will prolly die soon.

Shit dude, I thought you were Jongy! (i.e. his alias for a good troll)

[Ripzalot]

Here. Read this article about personal locator beacons. Discuss:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...a100601D23.DTL

aron ralston gives them 1 thumb up!

[MTT]

I have never actualy toured with other people.

I am slow, still learning and no one would put up with my frequent stops for Smoke Breaks

I have been out for a quick (Sort Of) skin up and run down 2X this week.

But for some reason I still carry a Shovel, Probe, Beepin! also have Radio and Cell phone. ++ other random stuff

[EpicSteeze]

I tour alone occasionally. I'm a really strong swimmer though, not sure I'd be comfortable solo if I wasn't