Comments on: Thousand Dollar Joe — 2009 Edition

By: Rob Staudinger

Rob Staudinger — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:37:39 +0000

On the topic of Tracker, i have one and am not quite satisfied. It always adds about 10-20% of distance in search exercise and gear check. Want to get a Pieps DSP anyway. Also, minor pet peeve, the tracker is rather thick, even moreso with its holster, and thus not very comfortable to carry.

By: Lou

Lou — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:18:44 +0000

I really think the tech of the Tracker is adequate, but have to admit that I’ve been paying a lot more attention to mine and other folk’s behavior, trying to ascertain the likelihood of multiple burials. Conclusion is that even while taking care with this issue, there are times (albeit infrequent) that my groups could receive a multiple burial. It’s just tough to totally eliminate the possibility of a multiple burial without breaking the group far far apart both on the up and down.

So, consolation is that ALL beacons will probably soon be competent with multiple burial scenarios. So the whole debate about beacons with this feature will be moot.

Only problem, any multiple burial is probably going to result in multiple death — no matter what beacon. I mean, it’s kind of ridiculous to be getting so persnickety about how beacons work for multiple burials, when the real problem is how the heck does one dig all those people up alive?

Thus, instead of buying new beacons, I’m looking even harder at my own behavior and trying to improve.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:07:31 +0000

While I’ll agree that the Tracker is considerably easier to use than an old Opti Finder (I have one of each), several of you commenters seem to imply that newer tech, and more of it, will make the difference in rescuing a buried friend. I fear that most of us fall into this trap in our tech-saturated world. Hasn’t the Tracker been essentially unchanged for several years? Perhaps we all should rush out and buy a new DSP or S-1? By the way, the S-1 would render $1000 dollar Joe a $500 dollar shopper.

By: Randonnee

Randonnee — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:10:21 +0000

A competent person with solid understanding of avalanching, in my view, can tell you in 10 minutes the absolute parameters required to avoid an avalanche. Just read the above mentioned website for that information. Beyond that, if one chooses to enter avalanche terrain, study and understanding of the daily Official Avalanche Hazard Forecast and adhering to its guidelines will keep one out of trouble. In my view, when I compare accidents to Hazard Forecasts, the accident would not have occurred in virtually all of the incidents had the recommendations been followed.

Quote- “comment was made that they have just taught us enough to make us dangerous.”

What am amazing statement. In response, why should one attend that class?
The weaker the knowlege the more the bs and shaky understanding- this may be the description of such sentiment.

How much time in this course was devoted to beacon searches and rescue? Whatever that was, it was to embrace the added 10% chance of burial survival with competent partner rescue. My point is gadget fascination, rescue fascination, and marketing move the focus from understanding the avalanche problem and absolutes for decision making. Yes, absolutes exist in avalanching, one starts there and extrapolates.

Here is a tip for you that should be valuable.Go to a Class A avalanche ski area on a big day after avalanche control that had results. Study the results, study what slid, how deep, how far, what aspect, what angle, what stratigraphy and snow characteristics. Know the complete snow / telemetry history before going ( or before going touring). Apply yourself and decide conservatively. There are days of excellent stability, and there are days to stay away from hazardous slopes.

By: ScottN

ScottN — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 02:34:35 +0000

Being a relative noob BC skier, I recently took a Level 1 avy course, and a comment was made that they have just taught us enough to make us dangerous. I agree totally that having all the “safety” gear doesn’t a rescuer make, especially if you don’t know how to use it. Applied knowledge is key, and that takes practice. Yet, its interesting how recent avalanche fatalities seemed to be fairly experienced BC skiers. What gives?

Also, Lou’s comment about having first aid training was great. So you find the guy, and he’s not breathing, broken bones, shock, etc. What are you gonna do? Good point Lou!