How many more?

[TIM]

I am glad to see some people answering the queston. I posed it becasue everyone is saying check the report but what happens after you check the report.

one thing about a pit test is this. it indicates at that particular place, not all places. most of the time the slides i see in idaho are not on a corniced hill but at the top of the convex knob. whether that be the ridge top or just a good roller on the hill. yes the humungous cornices are a dead giveaway but most slides that kill people are on moderate rating days on slopes that people dont think about.

 

[CatWoman]

for those who dont reconize Jill and Dougs names...you should reconize their books, because from what I have seen over the years..its pretty much mandatory reading for all AST-1 classes... the most popular book is called snow sense....they also have several others including snowstruck....both books are well worth reading...

I have heard/seen many other *experts*....but Jill & Doug are THE GURU'S! I've read everything of theirs that I could get my hands on, plus any vid's they were in. You are very fortunate to have them there. I soooo would love to sit in on one of their classes, and to be able to get out with them and pick their brains. They've been at this a long time, and are recognized as top experts by their peers.

And I agree on the checking your trenches. That's becoming more and more accepted in the snowmobile aspect of education. How many times a day does someone get stuck/dig a trench? Usually lots throughout the day, so it is a darn good indicator of what the snowpack is like in the various areas of the large amount of terrain we can cover in a day (one must always take ALL things into consideration).

 

[scaredycat]

personally, its where you ride that also increases the danger

The worst places to climb are often long, smooth terrained, steep slopes---thus most sledding videos are shot in the spring when the conditions are the best for long pulls.

south facing slopes vs north also make a big difference

one is windblown, shallow snow and the other is often 4 times deeper near the top

logged out areas are usually better as they have a base made up of fallen trees, new trees and unfortunately our nemesis.....stumps but these hold the snowpack quite well unil they get completely covered, then its the conditions and grade that plays a factor

i stick to short steep climbs and ride in areas of higher activity..sled doesnt get as badly damaged either if it rolls 40 feet vs 200

still its your choice if you want to beat the train, jaywalk or ride when the avy danger is high..

you can ride when the avy danger is high but you have to know where to ride, what to look for and when to say no....usually its when the dumbest rider your with says.. lets go up here... and the hair on the back of your neck is standing up because you know its a dumb idea.

My cousin said no a couple times and it saved his life...might save yours too.

 

[christopher]

Another thread worth re-reading