OT:Backcountry Enthusiasts?

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Hi, is there anybody out there who would like to do some up hill skiing? I'm gonna be heading out to the lower parking lot around 2ish on Sat and Sun.

I'm playing it safe and just cruising up heavily treed low slopes with my dog in his new boots.

The snow is supposed to consolidate and avalanche forecast is moderate. I'll be sticking to the trees and low slopes the whole up and down.

If you have a beacon and some skins and would like to join me shoot me an email.

~Ron

Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Skinned up Newton Creek
[img][/img]

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 282 Posts Obsessed

Nice. I would love to get out there a few times this year. I'm an out of work stay at home Dad right now and my days free vary a bit. Still need a beacon but i'm set otherwise. Any suggestions on beacons? Been a while since I shopped for one. Anyway PM me or keep posting & I'll try to break free one of these days.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

From what I have read and used 3 antennae's are the best. Don't get a cheap one as you may not be able to use it.

http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/outlet/ortovox-patroller-digital.html

http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/outlet/avalanche-survival/

I went ahead and got the Black Diamond Avalung pack. I figure if I get buried it would be nice to have the option of breathing fresh air.

Cheeers

JayDelViento · Since 20 Jun 2010 36 Posts White Salmon

Hi Ron,

Sorry I missed your post. A couple of us skinned up the Palmer yesterday in big wind and otherwise good conditions. The snow is really improving!

How was Newton? I'd expect it was a bit early for decent snow coverage down low. Trees low around Ski Bowl was bad last weekend -- bottomless pits with trees at the bottom.

-Jay

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

It was fun. The trail was already set and maybe a day old. It was just nice to be back out.
If you ever need somebody else to tag along please give me a pm or an email.

repooc99@yahoo.com

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

Jay, FYI once you gain the ridge (Pea Gravel Ridge) to the east/north of Newton Creek there are some really nice bowls along the back side (east/north). these get wind loaded during storms and the snow usually stays nice for days after a storm due to their north facing aspect. I hit these 2 weeks ago and it was great snow with 12-18" of fresh.

I would skip tom dick and harry unless there is lots of snow later in the season.

I really like the BCA tracker. its tested, trusted and easy to use.

PDXF · Since 10 Sep 2008 116 Posts Stoked

I can't make it this weekend but most weekends/weekdays I can with a little notice. So post the next time you are needing another body with beacon.

Pepi · Tue Nov 30, 10 1:03 am

Pieps DSP has been a very well liked 3 antennae tranceiver at our shop. We have been selling them for about 4 yrs, and the Tracker (2 antennae) tranceivers for 3yrs now.

If you're in Hood River and have any questions or interest in either of these tranceivers, feel free to drop by the shop any Thurs-Mon when I'm in.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

If anybody is interested in getting together and practicing search and rescue pm me or give me an email at repooc99@yahoo.com.

I'm planning on going up this weekend and doing Newton creek again.

Ron

JayDelViento · Since 20 Jun 2010 36 Posts White Salmon

Ryan: Peagravel ridge down into Newton is one of my favorite local backcountry ski spots. The problem is that NE-facing slope above the bowls is prone to avalanches. I have seen 3 there; nearly lost a student there one time when he fell through the cornice and set off a 4-foot-deep slab. (I was yelling at him at the time to get back from the cornice. Oops). I encourage folks not to go up there unless you're dialed in on avy issues and have friends along who are also skilled.

On the beacons practice: I'm always up for more practice. Ron, I'll monitor here and see about going along if you pick a date.

There are a lot of great beacons out there. It doesn't matter how good your beacon is if you don't practice a lot with it. It also does you no good to have the best beacon in the world if your friends don't practice with theirs AND carry a shovel and probe.

luke · Since 06 Jul 2005 399 Posts Obsessed

Great idea Ron to do some practice. A bunch of us conducted some beacon training in HR a week ago. It is good to get many people because then you can simulate mutiple burials.

Please keep in mind that having all the gear is great. However, if you plan on getting close to avalanche terrain, you also need a minimum of the 2-3 day Avy 1 training.

If you have been through Avy 1 there are also some great re-fresher courses on-line.

If you haven't been through Avy 1, then maybe this will help you decide to spend the money on 3 days of training:
How many people died last year in the U.S. while kitesurfing? I don't know the number but maybe 3? Well last season there were over 30 deaths in the U.S. from avalanches. With a record number of within-resort-boundary avy deaths. And 1 already this season. Yes, I am knocking on wood as I am typing this.

Have FUN and see you out there.

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 282 Posts Obsessed

great advice from everyone I appreciate it. I am pretty Avy Savy I just haven't been out in a while and was wondering if there were any great advances in the last couple of years. I'll come check out your stuff Pepi. I'll keep checking in & try to tag along on one of these trips.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

http://coloradoindependent.com/68419/wolf-creek-patrol-director-death-underscores-avalanche-danger

This is a spot close to Purgatory in Southern Colorado that get's just a ton of snow.

I'm signed up for my course. Shocked

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

So, here is my route. I'm heading up on Saturday around 10am to HRM lot. I'll cruise up and see how it looks. If I'm alone I plan on just skinning with no downhill. It's a fun and relatively safe route. Mostly in the trees with very little exposure to slide areas except for at end.
http://www.nwac.us/forecast/avalanche/current/zone/13/

I'll be staying in the trees and digging some pits for practice.