slaphappy

b-rock- The hillside was a replanted clear cut and the majority of the trees stuck out of the snow maybe 10 to 20 feet. The wet heavy snow took a couple of the smaller ones out. They were sparse enough to enjoy nice turns but consistently spaced on the hillside... there were no large open areas. * Except for the cell phone crap, everyone's comments have been worthwhile, I hope others have benefited from the discussion. Thank you spray gods for keeping the BS to a minimum on a semi-serious topic! [ 01-16-2002: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

Thanks Freeman! You are one of two people who did actually answer my original question, although there was some other useful information along the way. It's funny I have been hiking with my board since 1985 (Wa,Co,Ny) and until this year I didn't feel the need to carry a beacon. I believe my change of opinion was not brought on by that particular slide (I never really felt "in danger") but by the thought of burying a loved one and living with the memory. I have worn one a half dozen or so times out of respect for a partner who requested I do, but will be making one part of my standard from here on out.

For what it's worth... I found the plate bindings needed to be turned too far forward creating a less stable stance than a normal strap binding that uses a more perpendicular and wider stance. (Of course that depends on the width of your deck and the length of your foot.) The old Burton binding I used had a rear bail and toe lever, similar to a crampon if you put it on backwards. The stance I prefer created way too much toe and heal drag to be tolerable. It is not an ideal setup for general freeriding although, as I said before, your edge control is amazing. This is likely the reason Steve Koch uses that setup to cross large sections of steep ice. Sick! * Gene's comments about plastic boots are accurate. [ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

Clearly knowledge, avoidance, and practice are the key to staying alive but we are humans and we do error. (I sure did!) Many of you have suggested it is foolish to travel the backcountry without a beacon, shovel, and probe and to an extent I agree. Is it not also foolish to not wear one of those Avalung contraptions as well? Trauma aside, from the response times quoted, wouldn't this also exponentially increase your chance of survival? I haven't heard anyone mention one. Why? [ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

Thanks for the responses. The slide was at Snoqualmie pass on a mellow tree covered hillside. (name?) It tore right thru the trees, aprox. 80-100 feet wide with a 14"-16" crown. It did not travel far but deposited about 4-5 feet where it rested. I triggered it on the descent as I came over a small knoll and weighted the snowpack. We had snowshoed up directly below it previous to the descent. I have triggered a few small ones in the past but never one of this magnitude on a tree covered hillside. I did overlook a few obvious signs in retrospect, underestimating the wind deposits, high water content, and poor bond to a crust. I have had avalanche training including how to use a beacon, and have turned away because of unfavorable snowpack in the past. (although I have also "gone for it") Trauma is responsible for 20% of the fatalities. (I have been researching) Carrying a beacon could not be considered "bad judgement" but lets face it we are all risk takers by nature, you can't tell me that it doesn't offer a small sense of security to even the most conservative of us. As I stated I will be purchasing a pair, I just wondered about the results in the field, not a controlled application. Thanks again for your opinions. [ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

Suunto Vector is easy to use and you can replace the battery yourself. Only thing is the $200 tag.

After triggering a slide this past Saturday that could easily have buried a large group, in a very unlikely area, it is clear to me that I may need to reconsider my opinion of avalanche beacons. Worse than suffocating myself would be living with the fact that I did not take every precaution possible to maintain the safety of my lady. (she had been standing in it's path only minutes previous to my releasing it) I have always considered them a false sense of security and have tried to use knowledge and good judgement as my "tool." (arguable whether not carrying one is good judgement) My question is: Have any of you been buried and succesfully been located and saved by a beacon? or have you located and saved someone with a beacon? I am likely going to purchase a set either way, but I have never known anyone who has been saved by using one. The next time I feel a bit "ify" about the snow pack stability and hear the little voice in my head say "if it slides you have your beacon-it won't slide anyway" I can remind myself that they are only useful for finding dead bodies and possibly reconsider.

A version of this topic has been discussed before but I will toss my opinion out there once again. I ride in my plastic boots (Asolo AFS 5000) with strap on aluminum baseplate bindings on a 168 Glissade (plastic bindings are too flexible and break). Other than the fore-mentioned plate setup (have tried that as well) there is no better set up for edge control. (Be sure you have the ability to adjust the forward lean on your strap binding.) Although I have never used a splitboard I have friends who do and both have had reliability issues with them this season. Unless your purely using the setup as an approach tool, why sacrifice the performance on the way down by using a split board? Not to mention the difficulties when traversing on hardpack in ski mode. Snowshoes work well with plastic boots and I will sometimes bring along aluminum crampons as well. A proficient freeheeler is a bit faster on the way up but not by enough to sacrifice performance and adaptability. The only drawback I have found is after five or six hours of riding your calves can take quite a beating, but the simple solution to that is to quit riding lift served areas!

I have a TNF Assault (similar to the Bibler I-tent) and at under 5 pounds with vestibule, it rocks in the snow. Condensation has never been an issue. I have sat through sleet, rain, and snow storms without getting the least bit wet. It sets up in minutes. (none of that interior pole crap) I recommend it highly and I generally do not like TNF products. Only problem is I bought it on the REI Outlet so TNF doesn't make it anymore. (cost me only $300!) Might find one used. I disagree with Gene about a vestibule, unless it's ridiculously heavy, it makes cooking or melting snow tolerable/doable in nasty wind storms... unless of course you cook in the tent. (I do not) You can always leave it home if your really trying to cut weight. (mine is just under a pound and takes up minimal space) * Oh yeah, the HUGE TNF logo on both sides suck! [ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: slaphappy ] [ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

But I'm an "idiot"...right Pope?

[ 01-04-2002: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

Helmets at paradise! I've seen it and always wondered what they're protecting there noggins from. You would have to lay down and have someone kick you for it to have a purpose! Of course, that may be exactly what they are "practicing"!

Bitchin is easiest.

Hey!!! Trask, what the hell happened to you bein a hick and runnin people over with heavy machinery?

EPB- Weren't you sprayin about soloin passed us common roped folks? and you can't figure out the frontpoints on a pair of Sabertooths? Somethin doesn't jive. I'm with rat.

Hey Freddy!Unbutton your sweater, bend over and grab those tennies. You be taken it in the arse just like the rest of us this year! * Snow has been damn fine so far, not a bad winter to be unemployed.

Never been to Chossil Rock but it's gotta be better than the not-so-welded tuff on the Peninsula. Railroad spikes might be a better form of "protection". Oh yeah, that's if you can find the "rock" under the foot thick bed of moss. [ 12-20-2001: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

Smith Rocks is bolted, "hard" mud. The shit on the Olympics IS bolted mud!

I have had a pair of the Kong aluminum for three years and they get used far more than my steel. I'm not farmiliar with the Camp version but I doubt they are much different. Money well spent! * Oh and although they do wear down a bit faster, they have performed well on hardpack, low angle ice and a bit of rock. No bent or broken points so far. [ 12-13-2001: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

15 days, one half ounce, feelin great!

[ 12-11-2001: Message edited by: slaphappy ]

No yah didn't!

Come on now Ranger, what rock gym is gonna play Guns and Roses? !

!