Beacons....something to think about.

[akpowrider]

No beacon = no clue!





Oh man, I can't believe I agree with teh d!ckman

 

[ak49er]

WTF...over....

@ The Clitmans return.....Who left the gate open?

 

[greenspeed]

I got my HMK pack last year, I'm getting some more gear before snow fall. Can someone suggest a beacon? In the midwest these Avalanches you speak of don't happen, so I have no clue what brands decent and what to expect. I know what they do though lol.

thanks

Greenie

 

[AKCoop]

My favorite quote so far:

Bonus Arctic Man beacon drill: put the beacon on the drunkest wanderer in your party and try to find them at night!

Anyways, after riding for a couple of years without one I am now a diehard beacon proponent.

A couple of years ago I bought my brother and I the new "Pulse" beacon and it is super easy to use. Takes you straight to the beacons w/o going in an arc and allows you to mark victims during multiple burials, basically allowing you to focus on the next signal w/o jamming the 1st signal. Def. recommend this beacon to everyone. I will be buying another pair this year for the kids and teach them how to use them.

 

[Funoutfitters.com]

Thats good thinking! You will be more comfortable now knowing you at least have one, and lets hope you dont need to use it!!

Josh Zieske

 

[bigcat_ak]

Good info here for sure but I must add one thing. These beacons and back packs give many of us a false sense of security. MANY of the people killed in avys were in areas with EXTREME AVY WARNINGS POSTED. We use these tools as an excuse to over ride our common sense. We need to keep it real and remember that more times than not a beacon is used to find the body. Better to use you head than the equipment. Sorry if I step on some toes. Just tired of lossing fellow sledders.

 

[hostile1]

I at a friend because he wouldn't wear a becon he didn't die but after I told him 3 weekends in a row he couldn't come with me because he didn't have one he stopped calling! I plan on getting a second becon for a loaner and a second pack with probe, shovel, and WATER I think that's the thing people forget the most. You can live for a week without food (or two if your my size!) but only 3 days max without water.

 

[AkSledHed]

For those without beacons (myself included), what are the chances of getting a group buy on them? I haven't ridden any big mountains yet but I plan on doing that soon so we need to get them.

 

[ak4play]

Great post i guess im one of those people who just doesnt have a clue. I have a pack but no beacon where would someone be able to buy one of those and is there any specific kind i should get?

 

[-kodiakcassells]

The plunge

At the Beginning of the Season I bought 2 probes 2 shovels 2 beacons a float 30 and some heart ache from the Missus for the cost of the gear. But me and my son will ride more prepared and my oldest now wears the gear while back country snow boarding with his friends I am more relaxed now knowing it is used when he is out without me. As a parent I put the price of the gear as more important than a newer sled for my Middle son who rides with me and for my oldest he got that instead of a newer snow board.

 

[-kodiakcassells]

BCA sometimes has demo gear for sale oer the summer

Check the BCA website over the summer they might have demo packs for sale...

https://www.bcaccess.com/bcastore/english/products/product_list.php?categoryID=21

 

[EagleRiverDee]

At the Beginning of the Season I bought 2 probes 2 shovels 2 beacons a float 30 and some heart ache from the Missus for the cost of the gear. But me and my son will ride more prepared and my oldest now wears the gear while back country snow boarding with his friends I am more relaxed now knowing it is used when he is out without me. As a parent I put the price of the gear as more important than a newer sled for my Middle son who rides with me and for my oldest he got that instead of a newer snow board.

Great decision, I applaud you. I hope his boarding buddies also have gear, and practice with it.