General Safety

 

Another part of backcountry riding is safety. Avalanches are the primary concern, but we also are prepared for about anything else – including spending the night out.

 

As far as safety measures, our packs have survival kits in them. Although it wouldn’t be fun, we do have everything we need to spend the night in the backcountry. Fire, is the most essential survival tool. We carry several fire starter kits, ranging from newspaper and a lighter to matches and wax-covered gauze. Next in the survival kit is a compact first-aid kit with essentials such as antibiotic ointment and a compass. Finally, in the “in case of broke down sled and having to spend the night out” kit are a few things such as a flashlight, and a space blanket. Mind you, these are just a couple of the things we carry in our packs for emergency use only – there’s a lot more we carry for each ride, such as food and water.

 

As far as avalanche preparedness, we carry beacons, collapsible probes, and collapsible shovels. But more important then the equipment, we’ve also invested time in avalanche classes. Equipment is important, but the knowledge to use it is essential. Most times, the best tool is good judgment – like staying off of the steep slopes after a big storm.

But sometimes, even the safest-seeming conditions have the potential for sliding. I know this firsthand from last march. We had climbed out a south facing chute several times earlier that day, but when we came back later, I took a different line and ended up turning back down on top of a small drift. When I dropped off of it, a slab broke loose from where I was to twenty feet in front of me. Even though it was only about four inches thick and only ran 40 feet (I didn’t know that when it broke loose!), it kept me riding in shallower terrain for a while…

 

Ride hard, and ride safe!!