Glacier Mountaineering Society

Sat, Apr 22 2023 - Introduction to Back Country Skiing (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Warren Lane
Participants:		Warren Lane, Eric Smart, Randy Hohf, Greg Notess, Brendan OBrien, Jess B, Laurel R. Vielle

Write Up:
GMS Introduction to Backcountry Skiing Seven of us attended the Intro to backcountry skiing activity at Big Mountain ski area on April 22, 2023. In attendance were Warren Lane, Eric Smart, Randy Hohf, Greg Notess, Brendan OBrien, Jess Bonomo and Laurel Vielle. The resort had closed the previous weekend. This was a change in venue. The weather forecast indicated snow would be falling at the resort during the week. The possibility of new snow drew us to Big Mountain. The weather was cloudy. The initial conversation at the bottom of Chair 6 covered transceiver range and use. Discussion also focused on the need for every member of the group to access local avalanche bulletins and share their opinions and thoughts on the proposed trip. After a transceiver check, we ascended with skins to the top of Chair 9. Discussion on skinning technique was covered along the way. We talked about transition to skiing. Safe descent techniques were practiced on a short pitch below Chair 9. After another transition we ascended Expressway and Momentum to the bottom of Chair 5. Along the way we discussed safe travel techniques and avalanche terrain. At Chair 5 we covered the importance of a trip debrief. By talking about errors that may have occurred during the day the odds of repeating those errors during the next activity will be decreased. The goal of the activity was to discuss and practice travel techniques in avalanche terrain during winter GMS ski activities. By covering safe travel and developing relationships with members who are also interested in winter ski activities members will feel more comfortable in participating in winter outings. An additional comment: During a GMS round table evening, a member asked the question about electronic devices and possible interference with avalanche transceivers. The member did some outside research and shared the following information: 1)In transmission mode- Always wear your transceiver at least 20 cm away from anything electronic, metallic, or magnetic. No heated jackets, foil lined jackets, magnetic jacket closures or chest-mounted cameras. In search mode increase the distance to 50 cm. Heated gloves and electronic watches must be taken off and stored away before a transceiver search. Heated socks can interfere with your fine search when you are holding your transceiver close to the snow surface. 1)https://utahavalanchecenter.org/blog/74828#:~:text=The%20guidance%20be low%20will%20help,away%20from%20electronics%20while%20searching.

Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Tim Anderson at twamontana@gmail.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.