Get the Gear. Know the Gear.

During my years of guiding it was the norm. However all clients were required to have the gear and as a guide we taught not only the importance of being properly equipped, but also how to use it throughout the clinics.

So even at a crash course level, they may not of had the best know how or be the most capable, but we provided them a fighting chance of being rescued or helping rescue someone in the untimely event of an avalanche situation.

Bottom line…I never ride without having all my avalanche gear on and I hold those that ride with me to the same standard.

If we don’t have the gear there’s zero chance of riding safe. If we have the gear but not familiar with each tool and how to use it, our odds go up slightly, but we are still putting ourselves and others at risk.

If we have the gear, are familiar with how to use it and have trained through a motorized avalanche class, now we are getting somewhere by becoming safe, responsible and dependable riders within our group.

The sleds we ride today give us the ability to access terrain that undoubtedly put us in complex avalanche aspects on the daily. That’s why it’s so important that we shoulder the responsibility of being properly trained.

If you’re the avy savvy rider in your group, share your knowledge with those that have lesser and encourage them to further educate themselves on all Avy gear.

Always do a pre ride check in the parking lot to ensure Avy packs are on with handles out. Packs are equipped with a shovel and probe.
Radios are on and line of communication is clear.

Perform a beacon check and ensure battery life is good, that a visual on distance increases and lowers accordingly during search test and once locked in send mode, stowed away on the body, that the beacon can be located.

If we all make a concerned effort to take these steps towards avalanche safety, we will all enjoy the ride and thrill of this sport for many more days to come.