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Experts Continue to Have Problems in Backcountry

By Lou

A few days ago I blogged about how the media almost always calls backcountry skiing accident victims “expert” or “experienced.” In a recent column from Truckee, California Fire Chief Michael Terwilleger talks about this same issue. He asks, just when are we actually experts? When are we really experienced?

Self assessment is difficult so I won’t go there — but I agree with Terwilleger when he says there are really not that many experts out there, nor is everyone really all that “experienced.” Terwilleger’s salient point is that all of us should to realistically assess our “expertise,” because we may not have that much of it — and what backcountry skiing expertise we do have may not be increasing even if we’re getting out year after year.

More, (despite the media’s too liberal use of adjectives such as “expert”) it bears repeating that perhaps the biggest problem in backcountry skiing avalanche safety these days is that truly expert folks with experience and education tend to be caught in avalanches more frequently. Perhaps those of us who fall into that category (e.g., having knowledge and getting slid anyway) need to work hard on our judgment skills. I humbly include myself in this.

With above in mind, perhaps avalanche safety educators need to include safe travel assessment tests in their programs. It would actually be quite easy to develop tests that would help us get a realistic view of our own backcountry expertise. Questions could be as simple as “do you always carry items that you could start a fire with?” all the way to questions such as “In Colorado, what alpha angle would you use as a rule of thumb to figure out how far an avalanche slope might run-out once it reaches the valley floor?”

Such a test would be a cool way to finish up a community backcountry skiing avalanche safety course.

Shameless promo department: I visited the Gear Exchange a few days ago, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Their store is looking better and better. If you’re after bargains on used equipment for mountain sports such as backcountry skiing, pay them a visit or at least call (even if you’re not in their area). The Gear Exchange, 970-945-8500 (no website). When you call them, tell ‘em I sent you, and that they need a website . And least I get in trouble for favoritism, don’t forget Summit Canyon Mountaineering, also in Glenwood Springs. We like them too.

Posted by Lou on March 5, 2005 | Filed Under avalanches