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Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:58 am
by jallred22
Do you take avalanche gear (shovel, beacon, probe) for mountaineering events when you dont ski or snowboard?? If you stay on ridge lines most of the time and go out in good avalanche conditions is there a reason to bring avalanche gear or is it overkill?

I have been debating with friends and we are still split on the decision...

Bottom Line: We agreed it depends on the route, what do you think?

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2011 1:32 pm
by Joseph Bullough
I carry avalanche gear unless conditions are good and the route generally stays out of avalanche terrain (i.e. ridgelines). I was wearing a beacon when hit by a Pfeifferhorn avalanche in 2007, but I was knocked unconcious, and the beacon had no bearing on the outcome.

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2011 3:39 pm
by Alpynisto
Shovel can be handy for lots of things. Beacon and probe are probably only useful for body recovery, especially in the big mountains.

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2011 4:49 pm
by Hotoven
I never take them, but then again, every time I have been out in "avalanche conditions", I choose a different route witch sometimes ruins the point of the trip, but I rather be extra cautious and more safe than sorry.

I have bailed on routes because in my judgment they were unsafe, but then I hear someone else doing the same route the same day. A lot of it comes down to using judgment.

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2011 5:36 pm
by Joseph Bullough
You need to use a certain amount of judgment about where your route will be going; across avalanche paths, terrain traps, etc. Also, the knowledge of your party members. If they are not somewhat skilled in its use, avalanche gear just becomes dead weight.

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2011 5:56 pm
by Dan Shorb
Joseph Bullough wrote:You need to use a certain amount of judgment about where your route will be going; across avalanche paths, terrain traps, etc. Also, the knowledge of your party members. If they are not somewhat skilled in its use, avalanche gear just becomes dead weight.


Well put.

I think having the knowledge is more important than the gear. Remember, the gear is for when you have already f*ed up. Knowing, prevents f*ing up usually. If questions remain, bring a shovel to dig a pit and actually look at whats going on. if that provides info to make you think you'll need beacons and probes, bring them too.

Just like roping up: you cant . . . unless you bring a rope.

Often on ridges, gear wouldn't help much, because falls from the slopes crossed would cause injury/death anyways. Indeed, a rope would be more important in those cases. Like Joseph says, one must use observations (then judgement) to try to estimate the potential and the gathering of facts must be done along the way -- gear or no gear...

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2011 10:42 pm
by Hotoven
To bad matski isn't here, he would give you an ear full about it, and some other things....

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 3:16 am
by mconnell
Bottom line is that it depends on the route. I usually carry avy gear when ice climbing you are almost always going to be in areas where avalanches come down. On a ridge, I almost never carry it (except I almost always carry a shovel on overnight winter trips). Skiing, I carry it unless I'm solo, but I usually don't get on very steep slopes and am very cautious when alone.

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 5:05 am
by 96avs01
mconnell wrote:Bottom line is that it depends on the route. I usually carry avy gear when ice climbing you are almost always going to be in areas where avalanches come down. On a ridge, I almost never carry it (except I almost always carry a shovel on overnight winter trips). Skiing, I carry it unless I'm solo, but I usually don't get on very steep slopes and am very cautious when alone.


couldn't agree more

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 8:25 pm
by Hotoven
manfromnantucket wrote:To bad matski isn't here, he would give you an ear full about it, and some other things.... No shit that guy was funny. To bad our fun come to an end


Yeah he was fun to poke at. Its for the better of the site though now that hes gone.

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:54 am
by Dan Shorb
Is this what you're talking about?

Image

or this?

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or this?

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or....

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Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 3:14 am
by 96avs01
ds wrote:or this?

Image



DROOL!

Re: Avalanche Gear Debate

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 3:22 am
by Dan Shorb
96avs01 wrote:
ds wrote:or this?

Image



DROOL!


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