Please! For Safety Sake! - Snowmobile Forum

TripleXtreme · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 10:06 PM

Take an avalanche class!
For your's and your familes sake! Your kids will love having their moms and dads coming home after they go ride.

I don't want to sound like a preacher or that I am up on my soap box, but save Search and Rescue some time and be aware of your surroundings.

Most Avy Awareness clases are free or really cheap.
Most Dealers will have the schedules of the classes. You can also call your local Search And Rescue department (which is usually the local Sheriffs Office) and they will be more than happy to let you know when the next class is being held.

Also, you spent between $6k and $10k on that sled right? You dumped $2000 into it over the summer right? Whats another $300 for a Beacon, shovel and probe? All the new gear does not take a Rocket Scientist to run them. If my 12 year old can run them proficiently, so can you and you and even you! yea, you too! (hell, even my ex-wife could do it!) Also, practice with it. It's no good if you don't know how to use it.

Please be safe up there!

If you have any questions, please feel free to P.M. me or Sleddin' Daddy

Sleddin' Daddy? wanna add anything?

Scott
Ogden, Utah
Weber County Search and Rescue

Diesel · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 10:14 PM

WELL SAID! I totally agree!! Glad someone stepped up and said it!

How about atleast some basic tips and procedures here?

TripleXtreme · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 11:54 PM

I guess the biggest is to know your equipment and your limitations.
Just because your riding buddy can climb that hill, can you? really?
Yup, you just bought a brand new transeiver, brand new batteries, shovel and probe pole. Kewl! but now, I am going to bury my beacon and I want you to locate it in 3 minutes.... Can you do it? really? After about 3 minutes, Your buddy/wife/husband will be pretty upset if they come out in a bodybag. I am not saying this to doubt anybodies abilities, but to prove a point. I have come across alot of riders that have all the cool equipment but batteries are dead, or the best one "I just bought it last night and haven't had a chance to practice with it". Uhhhh, yea.... don't practice on me! I want someone who knows what to do looking for me. Sleddin' Daddy and I practice EVERYTIME we go ride. We will even borrow eachothers and play in the backyard! I will have my son go hide mine and I'll look for it.

Don't Climb 2 machines at a time. Only one machine at a time on the hill. If he gets stuck... well... sucks to be him.... that hill may hold his weight but will it hold 2 of you?

Look for obvious signs of previous avy's. Are the trees in your path young and the trees around the hill older? Good sign.....

Are cornices broke? is there alot less snow on your hill than other hills with the same aspect? Good sign.....

Are there whomping noises? Cracks in the surface? Good sign....

You can also get into weather forcasting like, What was the weather like before this 2 new feet of snow was laid down? Was it warm? is there an ice sheet under this pristine fluff? Was it colder than hell and left some good surface hoar to act as ballbearings under this new pow? Is it warm and the surface is slushy and wet and can cause a wet slide?

I can go on and on but this is a good start to what I think will be a good conversational thread.

Scott
Ogden, Utah
Weber County Search and Rescue

Ty · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 07:30 AM

good tips man!

justbrockinit · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 08:32 PM

they only gave us 2 mins when i took avy 1....new batteries at the start of every season or anytime you use your beacon a bunch is a good idea. in colorado we have an avy danger site, real helpful..

TripleXtreme · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 12:31 AM

http://www.avalanche-center.org/

this is the one we use...

justbrockinit · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 08:07 PM

http://avalanche.state.co.us/ is the one i use but its strictly co

Sledd'n Daddy · #8 (**permalink**) 08-09-2007, 12:31 PM

Yeah, don't die. Please?
I don't like looking for people that I can't talk to on the way down the mountain.
I bought a brand new Apex Mtn. with a 162" track this past season, AND 1 week before I bought it, I ordered a brand new Avy beacon.
I have a 2.5 year old little girl, and she was well worth it to spend the extra $300 for my beacon.

TripleX gave some awesome tips, just use common sense, that's usually what people lack when they end up in avalanches. Don't be stupid. Bottom Line.

Oh, one thing he did leave out... If your friend is climbing above mentioned hill with fresh powder, and a sled that shouldn't be ridden by a sane human... DO NOT SIT AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE DAMN HILL!!! Move back a couple hundred yards onto the flat, so if the hill does come down it will likely stop before it gets to you... it doesn't do you any good to get covered if your buddy sets the hill off.

Thanks and have a nice day.

Branden Loock
South Weber, UT
Weber County Sheriff Search and Rescue