A Different Perspective on the Revy Avy

[modsledr]

I've been reading all the different Revy Avy threads...Revy Avy; Who's to Blame; Things to Do; etc...

I wasn't there and WILL NOT be an internet quarterback...My perspective is this:

In years past at the BIS, there have been several hundred people...some estimate up to a thousand...sitting at the bottom of that very same hill, even on Sat during the "non event" hillclimbing...significantly more than the couple hundred that were there this year.

I think it's a credit to the educational efforts of the Avalanche Education Community as a whole, that large numbers of people are now informed enough to recognize the dangerous conditions and say "no, I'm not puting myself or my crew in that position". Instead of several hundred, there were only a couple hundred...this tragedy could have been MUCH worse with greater numbers packed into a pretty small area.

It is also a credit that so many appeared to be well equipped with beacons, probes, shovels, avy packs, etc...and also appeared to understand how to use them (again, I wasn't there...just going off of the reports and videos).

I also believe that there are now a couple hundred others (those at the scene) who will seek out further education, will be more willing to be the voice of reason, or at the very least will ask the question of whether conditions are safe.

The biggest hope is that we can ALL learn from this tragedy, and continue the outreach to those who have not been educated on the dangers and how to avoid them.

 

[snoboy]

Here, Here. That's as good as it can be said.


snoboy

 

[summitboy]

I also agree with the above. The proof is in the pudding ! It is pretty simple math and i too have seen a increase in peoples attitudes to back country riding with regards to avalanche conditions.

Last year and this year i have done a lot more boondocking and have stayed more in the flats instead of the high risk steep terrain riding. Tree riding is a blast !

The avy gear has definitely been improved over the last few years as well ! People are spending the money where it is needed to provide them with a better understanding of safety whether it be a avy course, avy beacon or bag. Talk to any of the bag dealers and they will tell you numbers are way up compared to 2 years ago. You see them everywhere !

I'm sure if you talked to the CAC they would probably tell you they have an increased call volume with regards to people using the back country and wanting to know what is going on. Kind of like a weather briefing before you take off on a flight.

The education and training is getting better and people are seeking it out. Its too bad this happened, the best we can ask for is an increase in awareness and continued education. Its too bad some people are narrow minded and all they can think of is a public hanging !

 

[cpatts2000]

well said mod

 

[CoyoteGirl]

 

[mt.sledder]

Our tools are already all avaliable to avoid these situations. We have all the following at our disposal.

1)avalanche forecasts
2)avalanche training
3)beacons, probes, shovels and avy backpacks
4)the ability to analyse data
5)friends we ride with to help make decisions

Everyone has a different level they take things to, in order to enjoy a day in the mountains. For some thats just a simple ride up the trail to the cabin for one of Herbies burgers, others like to blast through the powder, some like the trees, others like to climb some. Then there are the guys that can put on a show that everyone wishes they had the balls and sled to do. These guy's, and at times I have to include myself in that group feel the desire to perform for the crowds and just can't resist it. I would almost bet that all the guy's that took a poke at turbo that day heard that voice in their head telling them it was a bad idea. In the past I've heard it and went anyways, I've looked over my shoulder on the way up and also on the way down. This was followed by what the hell was I thinking and smarten up you idiot.

Like I said above, we already have access to everything we need, we just need to use the thing between our ears for what it's meant to do. If your willing to take a risk with your own life to make a big pull on a sketchy hill, think about the responsibility you have to the guy's below, at the least you should tell them to look out. Maybe you'll get lucky and they will talk you out of it.

 

[spoon]

All the above posts are very correct. This situation happened and the best thing to do with it is educate ourselves and others so the injuries and deaths involved in this avy and past ones won't be forgotten or in vain. If one person stays away from a dangerous situation in the back country and comes home alive because he remembered what happened then we can say that some good has come out of this situation.

 

[Oregongirl]

we just need to use the thing between our ears for what it's meant to do

Got BRAIN? Got beacon?

That has been my FB status update on any number of Friday's this season.

My struggle now is friends who don't ride with a beacon and think their brain alone is sufficient. It's not! Sort of like carrying a gun for self defense, but not carrying bullets.

 

[sl*dhead6]

Comment

Well stated Brent!

 

[TIM]

oregon

you might want to change it to: got beacon probe and shovel. You need all three to adequatley help in a bad situation. Just having a beacon is not good enough. Who cares if you know generally where i am. If you had probe you would know exactly where i was buried and if you had shovel, you could get to me. Beacon ain't enough.

Basically it is time to start having all three tools not just one. it is nearly impossible to dig out a buried sled with out probes. I have had to dig and was glad to have the probe to find the sled.

tim

 

[Oregongirl]

oregon

you might want to change it to: got beacon probe and shovel. You need all three to adequatley help in a bad situation.

Oh I KNOW! It's just sort of a tag line. It is meant to imply equipment....just a short, sweet reminder that you need your brain and your equipment.

Can't imagine someone having just a beacon and not a shovel and probe. That's REALLY forgetting to engage the brain. LOL!!

 

[TIM]

alot don't. they just have a beacon.

 

[Oregongirl]

alot don't. they just have a beacon.

I'm continually amazed.......and discouraged.

 

[TIM]

don't be discouraged. it gives you something to work on. nice write up on the other threads.

 

[MR.CLUTCH]

Beacons

I just came back from our local snowmobile club meeting where we had the opportunity to talk about the recent events that occurred in Revelstoke with one of the survivors. While there was lots of concern and disappointment over how the media is portraying the whole incident and the negative perspective being placed on snowmobiling a more important issue was brought to light that effects anyone partaking in backcountry winter activities.
During the minutes following the incident where survivors were trying to locate fellow sledders using their avalanche beacons there were a lot of ghost signals being detected. These signals were being caused by other personal electronic devices that people had with them including IPODS, Blackberry's, FRS radio's, magnetic buttons on coats, etc. These ghost signals caused a lot of frustration and many precious minutes were spent looking for people that were not there. If you are playing in the back country beware of this issue. Please pass this on to anyone you might know that uses an avalanche beacon.


#18 Paul