[Extazy]

Hello peeps.

Will try to make this short. My GF and Friends made me a surprise birthday party (I don't like birthdays) and gave me some backcountry related presents. The biggest one is from GF, it's an avalanche airbag backpack.

We are going to mount baker this January and I already googled if I could sign up for backcountry classes but unfortunately, dates are a little off. So no classes for now.

In the middle of the process, I was a bit confused about how many classes there are, and how diverse backcountry in general (Heli skiing, cat tracks, hiking (that requires split boards)). The thing is I am more focused on my career for now and work, so I am on the budget. My GF knows how much I love snowboarding and wants me to start riding backcountry and introduce her and her friends eventually.

Could you please navigate me and let me know what classes and courses I need to take to be aka "safe and prepared" for backcountry? From what I understand AIARE 1 and AIARE 2 are must have but what about others? I can't afford splitboards for at least 2 years, so, for now, all I can is snowshoeing and leaving resort boundaries.

Also, it seems mount baker has a really good infrastructure when it comes to learning backcountry, here on east coasts we don't have it this developed. Is there another mountain someone can recommend we can plan a trip and corporate backcountry learning with? I heard Tahoe has a good infrastructure as well.

Thank you!

 

[Extazy]

Guys thank for the input.

To make things clearer I do not see backpack as 50% backcountry success. Trust me it's just a motivation (my GF will keep bothering me about it) to do something that I wanted to do for a while now.

I used to ride at least 30-40 days on east coast, but now I barely go out. I am bored of Ice coast. But I am also picky when it comes to conditions in general. For example I rode in Wyoming last year, and it was only 1 day at Jackson Hole. Most of it was Grand Targhee due to snow conditions.

When it comes to gear rest of my friends presents were beacon, probe, showed and socks. So I basicaly got everything except split board and skins.

I made a call to avalanche school at mnt baker and they told me that I can do AAIRE level 1 course even at east coast cause mostly it's just theoretical stuff with little to do outside. They also offer guide tours for around $500, and told me that should be a good starting point.

I would do it but even with my GF it will be $270 from both of us which is a bit much. I guess I should just read books for now and make money for the next year)

 

[Extazy]

Classes are one thing, but a lot comes down to experience and repetition. No class can ever cover all situations and variables. I do an repetition class every year, and learn new things every year.

To start, I'd join your local mountaineering club, if it exists at yours, to join experienced bc tourers, learn where the easy tours in your region are, learn from older ppl who have toured the region for decades, or do guided tours and suck up knowledge there.

I was researching about it. Mostly people do backcountry near Jay Peak in north Vermont. But from what I gathered some tour guides disregard avalanche safety, because chances are so small for them to happen that they don't even take any gear. I can start doing it with them, but it's still quite a commitment (8 hour drive).

 

[Extazy]

This probably depends on the school itself but when I did mine, we were probably 75% outside.

I was also surprised since most of the photos I found (on their website and on this forum) were outside, but maybe guy on the phone was trying to get in my situation and offered least expensive alternative.

 

[Extazy]

I would start with this..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Pye9f602s

Man this video is so sad. And I can totally relate. Hurt my shoulder couple seasons ago, due to being stocked and attempting bigger jump.

 

[Extazy]

Have any of you gotten any winter survival training or is it just avalanche training?

So far I have nothing)

 

[Extazy]

@Extazy twas out yesterday scouted a little place where you hike out like 2 minutes, drop a short mellow line and then a short tour out...to lift assisted up (or not) and repeat. Definitely not an adventure but it would give you an idea of transitions and a wee bit touring. I'd never hit it before because it was so close.

Cool!) Is it worth doing that more or I should just do it just to get an idea?

 

[Extazy]

Guys, what do you think of Airbag cylinders?

I have empty backcountry accessories cylinder that you cant carry through TSA. Can I have a full cylinder in the baggage?

It seems the only place that fills up those cylinders is diving shops and it costs $60-70. That's a lot, considering you have to have an empty one when you travel. On their website, they have lots of shops that should be refiling. I called some of them and many stopped refiling them due to insurance issues (if clap that they install won't work they can be sued).

Others said they never provided this service, to begin with. Kinda not sure if I need this bag anymore.

 

[Extazy]

Here is some food for thought with getting into backcountry:
https://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/acc/acc_report.php?accfm=rep&acc_id=685

This is particularly concerning since this actually happened during an avalanche class.

daim, a person who died was buried under 2,5 meters of snow. Why would the instructor chose a place where 2 avalanches can be triggered.

 

[Extazy]

I found one Diving place that does it. They charge $15 bucks for it. "Gone Diving" if anyone needs for info.

Man, I gotta email backcountry access about this. They claim they have like 10 shops in Bellingham area that can do it.