Mark Straub wrote:No, a beacon is not going to save me. I know that. I am very cautious, bordering on paranoid, about avalanche signs. Avoidance is the best answer. If I see any signs at all of potential powder or slab avalanches, I take very careful notice.
BUT...isn't it a good idea to err on the side of caution? As I said, I DON'T want to die out there!
-Mark
No offense intended, Mark. I think his point, and mine, was to avoid absolute reliance on something like a beacon. Sounds like you already know that there are many other precautions to take and are taking them. Problem is that in this particular forum we get so many people with posts like:
"I want to climb Everest this year and already have bought a treadmill and climbed Torreys Peak. What else do I need to do?"
...that my posts err on the side of caution. Cheers.