If you don't highmark, is an avy pack still necessary?
Avy pack if you dont highmark?
- Thread starter mac900rmk
- Start date
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sled-fiend
Well-known member
If you ride in the mountains then it absolutley wont hurt to have one. A beacon/probe/shovel is mandatory and others safety relies on it.
I agree, even boondocking you sometimes play or cross through possible avy areas.
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EricW
Well-known member
Lots of times even gaining access to the meadows and "safe" play areas you will cross an avy path. Once you have an eye for spotting them you'll be chilled how many you have crossed in your life. Even on the rolling hills a little either side of 30 degrees isn't that challenging to play on. If you haven't taken a class you might be surprised how much terrain you ride has avy potential.
Another thing to consider is if you would respond to a recovery. If you would then you would be doing this in avy terrain that might have the potential for 2nd or 3rd slides.
If you ride in any level of avy terrain I think a pack is one of the important pieces to have. You are however the most important piece once you are trained and disciplined to avoid avy terrain/conditions. Good on ya for asking and learning. EW
Another thing to consider is if you would respond to a recovery. If you would then you would be doing this in avy terrain that might have the potential for 2nd or 3rd slides.
If you ride in any level of avy terrain I think a pack is one of the important pieces to have. You are however the most important piece once you are trained and disciplined to avoid avy terrain/conditions. Good on ya for asking and learning. EW
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snowww1
Well-known member
Good answer by EricW.
When you are sidehilling, you are actually more likely to set off an avalanche than when high pointing. An avalanche airbag pack is a great idea in any avalanche area. You can be sitting in the run out zone and not even be on a 30 degree or steeper slope.
Mike Duffy
www.avalanche1.com
snowmobile specific avalanche classes
When you are sidehilling, you are actually more likely to set off an avalanche than when high pointing. An avalanche airbag pack is a great idea in any avalanche area. You can be sitting in the run out zone and not even be on a 30 degree or steeper slope.
Mike Duffy
www.avalanche1.com
snowmobile specific avalanche classes
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Flange
Well-known member
Something else to consider is if you haven't already taken AST 1, then I would first spend the money on that before an avy bag. AST 1 is typically a fraction of the cost of an avy bag. Don't get me wrong, the avy bags are great (I've got one) but I think the avy training is far more important. Its better to learn how to avoid a slide altogether. I'm assuming you already have a shovel/probe/beacon. These are obviously the first pieces of equipment you need.
I took the AST1 class.
Riding through avy terrain is a good point as well as the rescue scenario.
Riding through avy terrain is a good point as well as the rescue scenario.
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cortez
Well-known member
I think all of the above are good points to consider. I have full avy equipment, and training and I have been contemplating getting an avy bag this year as well, but have decided against it for now. The only thing i dont like about the concept is the idea of it giving you false security. These bags are a great design/concept, and sure to increase your chances of survival, but i think they can add a level of false security. Possibly giving people the idea that its ok to be in unsafe areas, just because they have an avy bag. Not to say that everyone will act this way, but it is a consideration, these bags are by no means a guaranteed survival method. Just my 2 cents.
I relate it to the theory of having a winch on your 4x4, chances are if you have a winch, you will go into places you probably shouldnt be anyway...
I relate it to the theory of having a winch on your 4x4, chances are if you have a winch, you will go into places you probably shouldnt be anyway...
The bag is for you not for those who choose to push the limit. If you ride with that kind of people you need a bag. They will draw you in one way or another. Please don't decide against it for now. You need to look at your loved ones along with your riding buddies and say "Being here for you in the spring is not worth getting a bag". Get full avy equipment. Protect yourself for those around you.
MAC900RMK, AS SOON AS YOU CAN AFFORD IT GET ONE. If you feel you need to ask the question then deep down you know you should have one.
I have the SnowPulse and I love it. It gives me no security, just a little hope incase I am in the wrong place at the wrong time. I love my wife. Just my 2 cents.
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snowww1
Well-known member
Avalanches are not 100% predictable. Even the best snow scientists are surprised when some slopes slide. Slopes have slid after bombing at ski areas. I know that I cannot be 100% accurate in predicting avalanches and that is why I wear an avalanche airbag pack. Why not use the best technology available. It's sad to see someone die in a slide when the death could have been prevented by an airbag.
Mike Duffy
www.avalanche1.com
Mike Duffy
www.avalanche1.com
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I got this off a thread from SMOKINDAVE Hope he doesn't mind.
This is why I say to be prepaired. You or your buddies can do something wrong very fast.
Heres a good reason to pull your sled out yourself...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJK_k...eature=related
This is why I say to be prepaired. You or your buddies can do something wrong very fast.
Heres a good reason to pull your sled out yourself...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJK_k...eature=related
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Some how you pasted the wrong link,heres the right one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJK_kmi3S4E&feature=related
Thanks for the input.
I don't highmark and don't like it so much that I won't fall to peer pressure. I've had enough times of asking myself WTF I am doing here. The trick is to learn when you're not good at certain things. After being close to an avy last season I absolutely know the importance of staying out of avy paths. That being said if I have to dig someone or their sled out like last year I will be in an avy path. Forgot to post someone as a look out and we were constantly looking up the hill. Have to remember the look out next time if there is one.
Hard to really tell what the aspect of the hill was in that video but it was an eye opener. Looked like a fairly tame spot and look what happened.
When it's possible, I will purchase a bag.
Thanks again.
I don't highmark and don't like it so much that I won't fall to peer pressure. I've had enough times of asking myself WTF I am doing here. The trick is to learn when you're not good at certain things. After being close to an avy last season I absolutely know the importance of staying out of avy paths. That being said if I have to dig someone or their sled out like last year I will be in an avy path. Forgot to post someone as a look out and we were constantly looking up the hill. Have to remember the look out next time if there is one.
Hard to really tell what the aspect of the hill was in that video but it was an eye opener. Looked like a fairly tame spot and look what happened.
When it's possible, I will purchase a bag.
Thanks again.
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snowww1
Well-known member
Typical snowmobile avalanche fatality is someone going above a person on a stuck sled or someone stopping to help someone get unstuck. That second person on the hill triggers the avalanche.
100% preventable by not helping someone get unstuck and not riding above someone on the hill. Only one person on the slope at a time.
Mike Duffy
www.avalanche1.com
100% preventable by not helping someone get unstuck and not riding above someone on the hill. Only one person on the slope at a time.
Mike Duffy
www.avalanche1.com
Twice last year we ran into "just happened" avys in areas that I've been riding for 31 years. We had never seen any avys happen in those particular areas.... one was across a groomed trail and the other across the base of a meadow, both in the begining of tree lines....steep country yes......but all the same, I agree with Sledfiend, never a bad idea, especially if you ride with those that DO highmark.......
I've been sledding on and off for about 20 years and never really gave avalanches a second thought until the wife and I got a couple of decent mountain sleds and began getting into areas where slides are a definite possibility. We are both pretty casual riders sticking mainly to trails and meadows. Neither one of us are "Highmarkers" by any stretch. Last year I started studying a bit closer some of the terrain we had been passing through for years and realized there were times we were in some pretty risky spots. I went out and purchased a couple of beacons and a SPOT. My reasons for the purchase was not only for our safety but with my being a Firefighter and the wife an RN it's instilled in us to help others. I thought how would we feel if we came across a search/rescue in progress and weren't equipped to assist? We both did some on-line courses on avies and have been out and practiced numerous times with the beacons but we still need to take an avy course. Don't hesitate to get the beacon and a good shovel. It may not only save your life but maybe a fellow rider's.
I have a beacon, probe, 2 shovels, spot, rino and have taken the AST1 class. Ready to help when it's needed.
if you're riding then you should be equipped and ready, only reason i don't run an avy bag is because i can't affort the pricetag right now. i do always wear a beacon and carry probes and shovels though
