Looking for some knowledge

I'd also be happy to get together for a tour sometime, but am out of town the next few weekends.

If you've got a friend or two who are interested you might also ask Gary Brill, Proski or Mountain Madness about a 2-3 day private level 1 class for you. You'll probably spend a little more than you would on a group class, but there are going to be lots of great touring opportunities this spring.

You've probably already figured this out, but Rainier Burgdorfer's guidebook is the best bet for tours covering the state and Martin Volken has written a good book that covers Snoqualmie Pass and also has a couple of longer tours.

Try putting the beacon in a pack and take turns burying it over 3 feet deep. You will likely quickly see why Tim is harping on the probe (though in this still artificial scenario, probe poles might get you buy).

Welcome to the area. Happy to hook up for touring at some point (hey, I'm from Boston too, and needed someone to take pity on me when I moved here...).

Jim -
Yea there's no need for poles with the 25" annual Blue Hills gets on a good year!!
We spent Wed burying the pack and getting used to our transceivers. We'll have to bury a bit deeper next time I guess.

Link to the NWAC site from TAY and regularly read the avy reports and weather.

Try putting the beacon in a pack and take turns burying it over 3 feet deep. You will likely quickly see why Tim is harping on the probe (though in this still artificial scenario, probe poles might get you buy).

Are you really faster with a probe? I would consider comparing and see whether you save time by not probing. I'm not being a smart ass here. Unless I suspect a relatively deep burial or tricky terrain trap, I would bust my shovel out and start digging to uncover my partner without hesitation.

I'm not saying you don't need a probe. Absolutely you should have a probe, and practice with it.

Also practice some deep burials to see how much time you can waste by not probing.

A non-probe method might be faster if the person is "buried" right near the surface, but shoveling is hard work and a transceiver is not going to give you the exact/most efficient spot to dig. Yes, probing is necessary and faster - I can't quite imagine digging without know exactly where some part of the body is located.

... Unless I suspect a relatively deep burial or tricky terrain trap, I would bust my shovel out and start digging to uncover my partner without hesitation.

On what basis would you be suspecting a shallow burial?  If your assumption was wrong, you may have wasted valuable time.

A more important reason to probe before starting to shovel is to know exactly where your buried partner is.  You don't want to be standing on top of him, collapsing his precious air space, while digging.