Cold Comfort& Tips for Surviving and Thriving in the Tundra

Summary

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An avalanche beacon or "transceiver" or "transmitter" is arguably the only essential backcountry safety tool, aside from a shovel and plenty of knowledge and humility. A beacon rides inside a jacket or around one's chest and is a little radar-detector-ish unit that either transmits a signal to other beacons if buried, or receives signals from others in order to locate them. Ortovox, Tracker, Barryvox, the relatively new Pieps and F1ND are the major brands, and they range in price from $250 to 400 retail. While all brands are usually compatible, the first four have incorporated more digital technology than F1ND and claim to be user-friendly right out of the box. Expect to pay for the ease, as well as for any newfangled features like "displays the number of buried victims" and "is able to locate buried belongings and pets."

Last year's backcountry conditions were drought-marred and inconsistent at best. With infrequent snowfall, it was difficult to find untracked areas less than a day's trek away, and this winter promises to be little better. Unseasonably light weather does not preclude high altitude avalanches, however. On the contrary, a layer of new snow atop a thin base of melted, slick snow may provide ideal conditions for soft-slab avalanches, where a large patch of snow breaks loose from its under-layer and hurtles downhill. These are by far the most dangerous kind of avalanche a backcountry adventurer will encounter, but unfortunately they are also the most difficult to predict. Thus, all the precautions of a heavy snow season should be taken, including: be wary of storms dumping at least an inch of snow per hour or with winds of 15 to 45 mph, because those are the optimum levels for drifting, cornice formation and avalanches. Also tread delicately around canyons, obvious slide paths and slopes of 30 to 45 degrees--the most slab-friendly slopes. If it is necessary to cross these areas, do so one group member at a time, with generous space between. Learn how to dig snow pits to test the stability of snow layers, and especially how to use all your safety equipment. Remember, beacons need to be used without mistake on a moment's notice, so practicing using them away from the slopes is essential. Play hide-and-go-seek with your friends and beacons at the mall or supermarket, bury the little buggers in the snow or the laundry--just be sure to be freshly prepared every season.

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Cold Comfort& Tips for Surviving and Thriving in the Tundra

"Avalanche safety" and "winter survival" are the most loathed words of the backcountry dialect by wannabe telemark-skiers like me and my ilk, but not because we fear for our lives. Like the song says, it's all about the Benjamins. A low-rent skier or split-boarder can avoid almost all big purchases, usually by scouring the Bogus Basin Ski-Racing Alliance Ski Swap...

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