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    Using the Avalanche Forecast for Trip Planning

    by Jonathan Cooper March 5, 2021
    written by Jonathan Cooper
    We love skiing, and we love being in the mountains. How can we do this with longevity in mind? We need a process to manage uncertainty.

    We love skiing, and we love being in the mountains. How can we do this with longevity in mind? We need a process to manage uncertainty.

    You’ve got one day this weekend to get out and ski tour. How are you approaching your plan to get into the backcountry? Are you showing up at the trailhead Saturday morning with your partners and going from there, or are you spending the time to thoroughly plan for your day ahead of time?

    Planning and preparing for a day of ski touring mid-winter in the backcountry can be an overwhelming process filled with more questions than answers. That being said, with practice and a systematic approach you can reduce the amount of information overload, and maximize enjoyment and safety on a day of backcountry skiing.

    Using systems to manage uncertainty

    There has been a significant amount of research as to how humans most effectively plan for an activity that operates in environments full of uncertainty. The backcountry and avalanche hazard is the quintessential example of this type of environment. Stir in skiing, which creates a strong emotional response and desire to participate in the activity, and you’ve got a potent recipe for a challenging decision-making process.

    Many current avalanche education programs teach a systematic approach to planning for a day in the backcountry. This includes understanding the individuals in your team, anticipating hazards (such as weather, terrain, and avalanches), creating a plan that helps to manage your team’s risk, and ultimately incorporating an emergency response plan. This may seem like a lot of steps, but with practice and time this can become a streamlined process.

    So how could this look?

    Continue Reading
    March 5, 2021 1 comment
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  • Voluntary PIEPS Beacon Recall Issued in Europe, Plans for US

    by Manasseh Franklin March 4, 2021
    by Manasseh Franklin March 4, 2021

    Black Diamond/PIEPS issues a voluntary recall for PIEPS DSP Pro, DSP Sport and DSP Pro Ice avalanche beacons in Europe, Asia, South America and the Pacific.

  • The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race

    by Manasseh Franklin March 3, 2021
    by Manasseh Franklin March 3, 2021

    Highlights and lessons learned at the Gothic Mountain Tour, a 23.5 mile ski mountaineering race that circumnavigates Gothic Mountain in Crested Butte.

  • How Has Covid Influenced Backcountry Skiing?

    by Manasseh Franklin March 2, 2021
    by Manasseh Franklin March 2, 2021

    Survey from Montana State University, University of Nevada and National Avalanche Center to identify and understand trends between Covid and backcountry skiing.

  • Ski Touring Boots 2021-22 — Upgrades to Past Favs

    by Slator Aplin March 1, 2021
    by Slator Aplin March 1, 2021

    Overview of new touring boots for 2021-22 including upgraded options from Scott, Dynafit, Scarpa, La Sportiva, Tecnica and more.

  • Ski Touring News Review February 2021 — Backcountry.dot.com, Critters, Shark Tank, more

    by Lou Dawson February 26, 2021
    by Lou Dawson February 26, 2021

    Ski touring news and review, backcountry February 2021.

  • Totally Deep Podcast 85 — Serious Powder Talk with Doug & Randy

    by TheEditors OfWildsnow February 25, 2021
    by TheEditors OfWildsnow February 25, 2021

    On Totally Deep Podcast Episode 85, Doug and Randy dig deep into avalanches, powder madness and how we can all contribute to a safer backcountry.

  • Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry

    by Manasseh Franklin February 24, 2021
    by Manasseh Franklin February 24, 2021

    Visit to Bluebird Backcountry in norther Colorado, the only backcountry ski area in the US that offers ski touring, avalanche safety classes and guiding.

  • Food for Thought: On Slopes Above 25 Degrees, THINK

    by Mike Marolt February 22, 2021
    by Mike Marolt February 22, 2021

    Beyond the halls of formal avalanche education, the most simple way to avoid getting ‘lanched is to pay attention to slope angles.

  • Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look

    by Manasseh Franklin February 18, 2021
    by Manasseh Franklin February 18, 2021

    First look at the 2021-2022 Fischer Transalp ski touring boot, a low-weight high performance boot for long ski tours and challenging ski descents.

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Recent Comments

  • A. K. Mattix on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race
  • Jim Milstein on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race
  • Eric Steig on Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look
  • phillip gallagher on Using the Avalanche Forecast for Trip Planning
  • Slug Spud on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race

Gear Reviews

  • Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look

    February 18, 2021
  • Skis From the Future — 2021/22 Is All About the Freeride

    February 11, 2021
  • An Education on the Ephemeral Glide — Bases, Wax and DPS Phantom

    February 4, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry

    February 24, 2021
  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Cooke City in Photos — Montana Trip Report

    January 29, 2021

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Drinking Beer with the Bench Girls — Totally Deep Podcast 84

    February 12, 2021
  • Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally Deep Podcast 83

    January 10, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Warm Toes for Cold Smoke — Tips To Keep Your Feet Toasty

    February 8, 2021
  • The Five Pillars of Skintrack Wisdom

    December 17, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A

    January 18, 2021
  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

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