Part 2 in a 10 part series of personal avalanche avoidance theories…
Most skiers are familiar with the concept of owning a quiver, or variety of skis. Quivers often include powder skis, rock skis, fatties, all-around, racing, resort, tele, twin tips, etc.. The idea is to have the correct ski for the ever changing conditions.
This same concept applies to avalanche avoidance, except instead of a quiver of skis, it is a quiver of partners for different conditions. I have some friends who I know not to call if the project du jour involves anything less than a short approach, 45+ degree skiing and a rappel. Others are into expedition skiing, long approaches and/or low odds of success. Others are content to take a few safe, fun runs and call it good. Some are all around partners.
Skiing steep lines requires partners who are comfortable with a certain amount of risk, but heading out on a considerable or high danger day with a partner who is hard-wired to only ski the steeps is a recipe for disaster. Even if you make a Scouts Honor pledge at the start of the day to be mellow, each run seems to notch it up a bit, until, voila, you trigger a slide.
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Help support StraightChuter.com and quiver-up with some Dynafit TLT Vertical ST Alpine Touring Binding from Backcountry.com. Click on the photo below…
The real question is where to get those pink ski straps. My quiver contains many lengths but only one color.
Rock skis check! Rock skis check!! I need another pair of skis.
Yeah, I’m not sure where that pink strap came from, but it’s pretty cool and very unique, so I haven’t lost it yet.