Carrying avalanche gear

[Cat-man-Doo]

Just about everyone carries their shovel and probe in a backpack. I don't ride in avalanche prone conditions (not into highmarking or that sort of thing) but ride the backcountry and feel that avy gear should be carried. I'm not really interested in wearing a backpack if i don't have to and I see that there is an outfit that makes a shovel rack for the tunnel that uses the skidoo linqs. Thoughts on carrying the shovel on your back as opposed to on the tunnel??

 

[Ryan-41]

I have been curious about this as well, I have always carried my shovel in my avalanche air bag, but have thought for a while if your buddy is caught in an avalanche, you would ride away on your sled out of the run out zone and then use your sled to get close with your beacon and if your shovel was on your tunnel you could probably get it out quicker than if in your back pack. I am interested to hear what other people's opinions are.

 

[SLEDPEDDLER]

Have one on my backpack as well as on the sled, make sure you have a steel head and not plastic!

 

[kiliki]

Have one on my backpack as well as on the sled, make sure you have a steel head and not plastic!

This^^ for you guys who do not want a back pack you can keep it down to the basics. life safety only in the pack and use the tunnel bag for all other stuff. You can have a condition when the sled is covered and you are not, now your shovel is covered and your buddies are covered.
this did happen at the big iron shootout a few years back.
i keep one on the sled and my pack.

 

[Solarguy]

Avi instructors and experienced back country riders would recommend all your avi gear be carried in or on your pack. Obvious reason would be swept off your sled and separated where you are not buried and need to help others in your group. Your sled could be buried or?

 

[capulin overdrive]

Get it, i hate wearing a back pack, but really should have the stuff on your body.


Could look at vests or other smaller more comfortable means of carrying the stuff. Mystery Ranch used to make a pack called the broomstick that was basically shovel and probe. Now they just make smaller packs. Vest seems the best, and many offer trauma and stab protection.


Lots of people do both. One in the pack, one on the sled for easy reach and not having to take pack off.


It's your life and comfort level. Took several years of riding, but my pack saved my *** this winter. Stuffed it on top of a really steep sidehill in tits deep snow. Bike stayed at the top, and i went down the hill. Only way back was to take the pack off and use it to keep from sinking in the snow and crawl up the deep snow. Was just too deep to posthole.

 

[XFIRE800]

Just about everyone carries their shovel and probe in a backpack. I don't ride in avalanche prone conditions (not into highmarking or that sort of thing) but ride the backcountry and feel that avy gear should be carried. I'm not really interested in wearing a backpack if i don't have to and I see that there is an outfit that makes a shovel rack for the tunnel that uses the skidoo linqs. Thoughts on carrying the shovel on your back as opposed to on the tunnel??

One of the biggest misconceptions is “i dont ride in avalanche prone conditions”.

I have had the opportunity to ride in dozens of different riding areas, and even when its a high danger day and we do everything possible to limit risk, there are still avalanche hazards. These hazards im talking about are at the place everyone feels safe and sound, the trail.... There are more trails with avalanche terrain above them than a person would ever guess. Once i started looking i realized how unaware we really are about this. There are also many small hills and terrain traps that could bury you than a person would guess. The best thing you can do is get educated on the snow, whether you highmark or not.

Now onto the original question.

Yes you should absolutely 100% have a backpack on everytime you are riding in the mountains. As stated above, if you dont have a shovel on YOU and your sled gets buried, you don’t, but you buddy does, guess what the outcome is. If weight is an issue try on the new avy vests from bca. The weight distribution makes you forget youre wearing it. That slight hindrance could save your friends life. Remember, this gear isn’t about you, its about your friends and loved ones.

 

[NorthMNSledder]

I go absolutely minimum in my Avi pack as I have had back issues all my life. All my Avi gear and survival stuff goes in that. On the sled tunnel pack I carry a bigger shovel (largest one BCA makes from a few years back). The one on the tunnel gets used a bunch but is much easier and faster to access. Plus if I can help it I don't like to take my avi pack off. With the shovel on the tunnel I can use that for digging out sleds or whatever else I want a shovel for.

If you spend some time shopping for your backpack or avi bag you can really find one that is a better fit for your body. I used to hate having a pack on. now that I have one that fits my body I don't even notice it anymore.

 

[inspector01]

Whenever this comes up, I instantly think of this case.

https://www.sawtoothavalanche.com/accidents/FrenchmanCreekAccident2-16-14.pdf


I keep my smaller/lighter shovel in my pack, and my bigger shovel on the tunnel.

 

[kiliki]

we ride around that area all the time, its no joke.

 

[bholmlate]

There was something said in an avalanche seminar that has always stuck with me. A beacon, shovel, and pole are nothing more then body recovery devices. Its up to you to make sure you recover the body's alive. We have sink holes and other obstacles that can sneak up and grab you or your your sled in a second. that is why, like others have said, I carry one on my sled and one strapped to my backpack.

 

[SRXSRULE]

For all the guys that dont like wearing a backpack you really should try on a few of the vests. They fit and ride so much nicer. You truly dont even notice them when riding and they dont hurt your back.

 

[gonehuntnpowder]

I think a vest would be great, but I worry about adjustability. I am not a small guy.

 

[XFIRE800]

I think a vest would be great, but I worry about adjustability. I am not a small guy.

BCA’s new one is adjustable and gets BIG

 

[gonehuntnpowder]

I grew up in the no backpack generation. Put it all on the sled. In the past I have just carried a hydration pack with the bladder our and just my beacon, radio, fire starting and first aid stuff.

Before next season I will go to a Avalanche vest or backpack with all the necessary stuff in it. To get ready this summer I will take one oh my old backpacks and fill it to the appropriate weight and wear it when I walk the dog, and mow the lawn, most anything I do outside. May look strange, but the neighbors already think I am the crazy old guy.

 

[JungleJim]

I had back and shoulder issues so switched from an ABS pack to a BCA Avi-Vest and absoutely LOVE it! By cinching the waist belt tight almost all the weight is carried on my hips. The combo of having the teckvest protection all built in works really well. The new shovel carry system works great too. I'm a XL or bigger kind of a guy and the adjustability allows for a very good fit. Definitely check it out...

 

[Colbymh]

tragic story but lots of contradictions. How did they know the danger was rated high and observed several fresh avalanches but didnt recognize they were in an avalanche zone, thinking they were in a safe zone.

Regardless, thats horrible but glad there was survivors. It just sucks ur literally gonna wear a vest and shovel/probe for someone else.

 

[polaris dude]

tragic story but lots of contradictions. How did they know the danger was rated high and observed several fresh avalanches but didnt recognize they were in an avalanche zone, thinking they were in a safe zone.

Regardless, thats horrible but glad there was survivors. It just sucks ur literally gonna wear a vest and shovel/probe for someone else.

I guess if you don't like the people you ride with it sucks?

If you ride with people who don't put their gear on their back for you then it just sucks for you?

 

[Big10inch]

I think people WAY over think the whole avy thing. In 15 years of mountain riding we have never had to use a beacon or dig anybody out of an avalanche. Can it happen? Certainly and it takes a few lives each year but driving your car or eating fatty foods are both arguably more dangerous as they take far more lives than sledding.


I fully expect those who fear everything to respond to this. I was once one of the fearful, wore an avy pack before they were cool. Now it sits on a shelf, haven't worn it for years. I don't wear a pack as it hinders my riding enjoyment. I carry a shovel on my sled for when I or someone else gets stuck.


Back in the day it was hi-marking, and it was probably pretty dangerous at times. These days it is in the trees where slides are extremely rare. hauling all that extra crap around just doesn't make sense to me anymore. It just never gets used. I figure if it is my time, it just is, pretty much the same feeling from the rest of the group. The most dangerous guy in our group used to ride with all the gear, take all the classes but he ended up dead from a heart attack when most of us were certain he would die on a sled one day.


I think most of you worry way to much, or you are taking stupid chances. Quit worrying and enjoy your rides... All that junk on your back is no insurance at all that you wont die that day. Safety is a myth sold by fear mongers. Use your head, that is the best safety feature you have. If that fails, I am pretty sure we can chalk it up to natural selection. Most sled deaths are not accidents but seriously poor decision making. Most of them carried the gear and it didn't do a damn bit of good...

 

[christopher]

I think people WAY over think the whole avy thing....

Wow...