THE BEST MOD FOR YOUR PRO RIDE!!

[mountainhorse]

Have a look at this and tell me what YOU think...

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This mod will give your riding a whole new dimension....


The BEST mod is to be prepared with the right, functioning equipment and ride with people that can save your life.

I have seen so many people on high dollar sleds with lots of expensive mods on them... but no beacon or proper rescue equipment.

With the sleds becoming more and more capable... they can get you into more situations that could be risky.

Learn how to use safety equipment and demand that your friends and fellow riders have it on them and know how to use it... There is nothing "nerdy" about practicing how to use this stuff.

In this vid... Dan would have been dead if the people he rides with did not know how to use their equipment and save his life QUICKLY!!

IMO... The first mod is to invest your time and money into safety and fitness to if the situation arises, you will know how to save the life of your friend, son, daughter, husband or wife....

Do some reading and research on this forum and others about how to be better equipped.

Please keep this in mind as you decide what to spend your money on this year.

 

[Ask Yourself]

Beacon and a bag never ride without them both... And ever ride with people that don't have them both or worse that have them but don't know how to use them... Great post MH.... It sucks big time digging out dead friends trust me I know and I hope to hell no one ever has to go threw it... It puts a hole in your SOUL for sleddin...

 

[Clarke673]

i simply can't afford to buy an avalanche bag. IMO, it is bs that there is such a limited market on the bags. They literally have a monopoly on it. I ride with a beacon, shovel, training, and probes but until i can figure out how to get a hand me down, i can't afford a bag. Money is tight, but it is hard to spend $1000 on a backpack. My sled is worth about 7000, so 1/8 of my sleding budget is on a backpack that may or may not work.

IMO, using your noodle and playing it safe is a lot better than buying a bag and then throwing caution to the wind. Some way or another i will end up with a bag, but its going to cost me an arm and a leg.

 

[mountainhorse]

Clarke... How is this a post about Airbags?

By your build list...and expensive parts on your sled... you have the money but choose to spend it on other items... everyone makes that decision for themselves.

For me my life is worth more than more ponies in my sled or better shocks...no device can guarantee your safety, but some devices can give you a better chance at survival.

After this incident started happening... I'll be you that Dan wishes that he was wearing an Avy Bag type of pack rather than a camera pod.

I hope that you ride with a good, modern, beacon and practice with friends each and every season... multipe times.

I hope that you are all riding safe this season!!

 

[Ask Yourself]

Clarke how much where your Fox Evol X shocks? Is the ride smoother then beening alive? Not trying to start **** but I dug two friends out of a place that has never slid before nor since and they weren't even on there sleds when it happened... So take it how you may..

 

[mountainhorse]

I didn't make this thread to start controversy over What you buy... but to think about it as you spend your money.

 

[Ask Yourself]

Like I said before Mountain Horse GREAT POST BUDDY.... THANK YOU!!!!!!

 

[Clarke673]

Just because you have an airbag, doesn't mean you will live through an avalanche. I see people with the mentality that because they have it, they feel like they can climb anything. If you rode with me, you would realize that i very very very rarely go hill scratching. I am a very safe rider (as far as avalanche safety goes). Does that mean i am immune to an avalanche? NO. The more you know about avalanches, the more likely you are to be in one…FACT.

I guess my point was that

1. Just because they CAN (NOT WILL) save our lives, doesn't mean that we should pay whatever it is they want. Would you pay $2000 for it? What about $5000?

2. Thinking about what you do before you do it is a lot better way to protect yourself than just buying the bag.



Sorry i wasn't clearer. And FYI, most the expensive parts on my sled (shocks, skid, ETC) were all hand me downs as well, all given to me for great deals by great friends, some of whom I have sadly lost in accidents lately. I would love to have an airbag, it is just hard to spend that amount of money. It is like paying to use the seat belt in your car. It is a great post by mh, and a great topic. Everyone should have an airbag, i just wish that they could make the costs more reasonable.

 

[wellfed777]

hey mountainhorse
good heads up on being prepared the video is pretty scary
thanks sincerly

now is there a basic approch to field testing your avy equipment ?

maybe we could start a sticky on avy safety tips and info for spotting them

as to clarks point i understand the cost isue it would be cool if there was a cap or rebate deal on safety survival equp. in this catagory for people who want to do it right
( it would probably save money on rescue/search dollars)
i guess you gotta a pay to play

i did a little looking and found the avy section sorry
it could'nt hurt to throw that stuff up in other areas with more traffic i'll bet people don't check it out that often but i'm glad its there
thanks

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Clark, I hear you..this is an extremely expensive sport..I do wear a bag..I also do lend that bag to others when we are out on rides..after I find a safe place to view from while they use my bag to climb..not a perfect answer..but maybe this year talk to your riding partners..and each season you go togeather and buy 1 bag(swapping it from rider to rider on the hill as needed) until all have bags...

 

[skibreeze]

Best mod list.

1. Your brain and the others that you ride with. These are the people that your life will depend on in an accident.

2. Quality shovel, probe, and beacon, and knowing how to use them. IMO with today's sleds and the access that they provide, Having an air bag is damn near mandatory. Especially now that price tags are 1/2 of what was available 2 years ago.

3. Being prepared with the avy forcast and ride accordingly. Know the terrain and pay attention to runout areas and terrain traps. Before riding any area look at it and imagine how it would run out. Where would it take you, where are possible escape routes, what would it strain you through, and of course, where are your buddies as well. All of these things need to be evaluated constantly, and COMMUNICATED with your riding partners. Your whole group needs to be aware of your situation in case **** hits the fan.

Over the years I have encountered everything from sleds buried in running creeks, blown out knees, broken legs. Even worse, had to bring out a friend with a broken back, and had a friend and my self partially buried in an avy. Remember that your day can go from unbelievably awesome to an unforgettable tragedy in a split second. Your brain is the most important mod that constantly needs a tune up. Ride safe!

 

[IceCap]

Just some questions.... How many guy's go for the 4 yr warranty rather than the 2yr?

It is a 800.00 dollar difference here in Canada.

How about purchasing collision and fire and theft insurance?

I purchased a ABS pack two years ago.... and chose no fire and theft insurance and no 4yr warranty.
In reality I could care less about what happens to my sled.... but rather value my life.

Just like skibreeze says have your group prepared with avy forcast and ride accordingly.

 

[NextLevelRidingClinics]

This IS the reality of our sport. Bags aside.... Ask yourself a couple of questions:

1. How well do you know the guys you ride with? How many guys in your group know how to use what they ride with? And I am not saying they read directions. Truly know, and used the equipment, practiced multiple times. When is the last time you have done a probe grid search? Do you know what it is? Do your buddies? Have you ever timed your buddies looking for a buried beacon? Cost: Free

2. Do you have a plan if something to happen? Do you have a backup plan? Do you know who would take charge? Who is the backup in case the guy who is typically in charge is under the snow? Where is all the AVI gear located in your backpack? Is it easily accessible? What about your buddies? Every second counts, when the heart beat is under the snow. Cost: Free

3. How many know how to revive a person, know how to do CPR, and take necessary steps when (not if) someone gets hurt? Cost: American Cross CPR Class $55. Wilderness first aid class $250 -$300

Don't go riding thinking you know that your buddies know what they are doing. Don't you truly need to know you can trust them with your life? You guys should be a well oiled machine and know what needs to happen, BEFORE it happens.

Snowmobilers are leading cause in avalanche deaths today, but we don't have to be tomorrow.

Think before you ride! Thanks Mountainhorse!

Dan Adams

 

[crf118r]

Great wake-up call MH. I've had an ABS backpack in my eBay watch list for the summer and have been waiting till winter to pull the trigger. It seems like a cheap investment to me. Beacons and knowledge on use should be a given. I might just order that sucker today after watching that vid!

 

[pura vida]

"It is like paying to use the seat belt in your car."

"it would be cool if there was a cap or rebate deal on safety survival equp."

so the NTSB needs to start getting involved with recreational activities?

so the cost of private industries survival equipment needs to be regulated in the name of "safety"?

NOT to start an argument and NOT trying to pick an anyone but i take serious issue with these types of comments. be careful with supporting ideas that "seem" like a good idea. i feel that this is the type of ideas that are dangerous to our sport. the LAST thing any of us want is to have an "official" someone else telling us what gear we can/must or can't have. this leads to telling us when, where, and how we can go. it always sounds like a good idea (especially when emotions are high) and always starts out innocent enough but always leads to the loss of personal freedoms.

the key answer to all of this is PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY and taking RESPONSIBILITY for YOUR ACTIONS. (i.e. being prepared)

please, please to not take this as an attack, personal or in general because it was not intended that way, what so ever. thanks MH for the post. very informative and eye opening. it can happen to ANYONE. get as much gear as you possibly can. and KNOW how to use it. correctly. as far too many of us know, body searches are not fun and really tend to put a damper on the day. ride safe. enjoy the season. come home to your friends and family...

pv

edit: i apologize if i hijacked the thread in any way or if i seem to be WAY overstating my point

 

[Corey223]

Great post Mountainhorse!

 

[Tec]

i simply can't afford to buy an avalanche bag. IMO, it is bs that there is such a limited market on the bags. They literally have a monopoly on it. I ride with a beacon, shovel, training, and probes but until i can figure out how to get a hand me down, i can't afford a bag. Money is tight, but it is hard to spend $1000 on a backpack. My sled is worth about 7000, so 1/8 of my sleding budget is on a backpack that may or may not work.

IMO, using your noodle and playing it safe is a lot better than buying a bag and then throwing caution to the wind. Some way or another i will end up with a bag, but its going to cost me an arm and a leg.

That's a lame excuse!

 

[sleddin pete]

Eye opening video Mountainhorse.
Thanks for posting it.

I'm not much of a hillclimber,I prefer boondocking/tree running but I do have beacon,shovel ,probe and take avy refresher course every year.People I ride with do also.Got my CPR card and basic first aid supplies and overnight survival gear.

Common sense is most important don't get sucked into the group mentality,
If it doesn't feel safe to you don't be afraid to say so!

 

[wellfed777]

PV
i totaly agree i guess i did'nt write that very well

my point i guess was that it would be cool if there was a way
(i don't think there is)
to reward those for trying to use their head rather than those who say F it
i guess i've just seen plenty of people pushing it with out thought
but its usualy some body else wipping the ars in the end

i'm not at all for more rules/regs
i say live your life live it well but don't shat on others on the way

great post everybody good converation going on

avalanche= planning safety=

 

[Clarke673]

avalanche= planning safety=

lol, i knew those new smilies that chris added would be useful!