1.How many winter travellers live in areas where they need an avalanche tranciever?

2. Of those who do how many of you OWN and avy beacon? (or borrow/rent?)

3. Finally, how many travelling in avy country have had avalanche course (or two)?

I'm a ski patroller in avy-prone territory in the Spring Mountains outside Las Vegas (yes).

I have all my other avy equipment and finally I'm breaking down to get an Ortovox S1+ beacon because I'm tired of borrowing the area's BCA beacons. The S1+ is the most expensive in the Ortovox line but it also has the strongest signal in the industry if I'M the buried skier so the extra money is worth it. Plus it's upgradable online via a USB cable. That means a much longer useful life.

1. I do
2. I do
3. Several times

Mr. B and I own and use Trackers. We figure by using them it will be easier to find our bodies. Hey! It's snowing out the window right now!

Some of us do not live in avalanche-prone areas, but we go cross-country skiing in areas that do avalanche regularly. If I know that I will be skiing in gentle terrain, then I do not carry the transceiver. If I know that I will be skiing in steep terrain, then I do carry my own transceiver, and obviously I am in a group.

With a group, it is quite customary for the leader to either suggest or else require transceivers and shovels on some ski trips.

On an annual basis, typically around Thanksgiving, we have a transceiver practice in an area with beach sand. The target tranceiver is placed into a plastic bag and buried deep in the sand. Then the rest of us swarm over the sand to see who can find it first. It's good practice.

When in snow country, it is good practice to dig a snow pit and study the different layers of snow crystals. That allows us to predict better what the avalanche conditions will be.

--B.G.--

Edited by --B.G.-- on 10/28/2011 19:46:04 MDT.

That's good to hear. I wish more snowmobilers used avy beacons.

Our professional avalanch control guys use BCA Tracker II beacons. They like the simplicity and reliability.