Avy beacon training site at Crystal Mt.

I don't know if this is common knowledge... but Crystal Mtn. resort has a real cool test/training site for avy beacons. On the west outside of Campbell Basin Lodge there is a control box that allows you to select a training level. There are several beefy probe poles there also.<br><br>There are beacons buried in the snow on a slope west of the lodge that can be activated. I believe that lowest level activates one distress signal and higher levels activates multiple signals. <br><br>Of course the point is to find the distress signal beacon and poke it with the probe. The control box displays the beacons found and the elapsed time for each beacon search.<br><br>When I looked at this. A ski patroller was already having a session with multiple signals. I went ahead and tried out my beacon in search mode to see what I could find. I have never had this experience before. It is hard to relate the experience of the search, not as easy as one would hope. Of course that is the point of the training.<br><br>The ski patroller was a little frustrated with his efforts, he thought he should have done better with his level of experience.<br><br>I tracked one signal, but didn't hit it with a probe. Later, I thought about what if it had been a real person. I would have felt a little inadequate with my skills so far.<br><br>I want to spend some more time with this goody. So, I recommend taking your beacon to Crystal Mtn. if you ski there. Stop in at the ski patrol lodge for any help or instruction.<br><br>Next time up I want to ask how big the probe targets are.

<br>I first heard about these last winter and got to try it at Kirkwood in the Sierras. I was a little disappointed with the reality of it (although I LOVE the concept). Kirkwood pushes it as part of their backcountry program but it's location at the ski area felt more like an afterthought. No real signage- just a laminated letter sized instruction sheet zip tied to a railing.<br><br>I would have preferred a better explanation of the system (perhaps an on-site attendant?), a larger work area, and perhaps a smallish box for the "beacon" to make it more clear when you find the target. But- that's just Kirkwood. Perhaps Crystal has a different setup..

There are other "beacon basins" set in place with support from Backcountry Access (BCA) and Couloir like that at Stevens and Alpental. I am waiting for Scott at Pro Guide to send an email when the Alpental one is ready.<br><br>See BCA's page: www.bcaccess.com/education/learning.php

Props to BCA and Couloir for doing this!

drC

Thanks for the info. I'll be checking that out.