BC Etiquette

I'd like to start the topic with something I've experienced already this year and think as snowpack deepens and becomes more dynamic I'd like to see greater awareness of: spacing.

Firstly I really like spacing out (mentally and physically) in the BC. I can't do either of these if I'm breaking trail with my companions for the day and a group following our skin track catches up and stays on our hinds until we top out. Poaching issues and sanctity aside, I think we all should remember to space out. If you're setting a switch back in a tight chute or having another party following in poor sequence below you as you cut above them on a contoured slope, unstable snow, etc... it shouldn't rest upon the trail breaking group to account for the safely of those following. If you weren't there early enough to break trail stay distant and respect the group ahead. This of course is both a subjective and objective matter, but use your best judgment and at least grant a few hundred feet of space to the group above you, and hold back when the terrain is tight. Groups who tour together regularly are likely to learn and develop a safe and efficient touring dynamic and that is easily impacted or encroached with higher risk and awareness by a secondary group, or an outright herd that follows to close. If you are approaching a group breaking and think you should be granted the right to pass, at least ask if you can tail or go by. Communication, touring basics, and using your best judgment are all key factors here...

I open the floor to discussion...

^^^^^^ Good stuff.
Obvious stuff.
As Lowell suggests not rules but recommendations.

1. NEVER, EVER Bootpack up somebody else's skintrack.... Ever.
2. If you follow somebody else's skintrack and reach a slope they are skiing.... extend the skintrack and ski a different slope or move along the bowl/ridge/face a respectable distance.
3. Don't skin up Sliver Basin at Crystal when the lifts are running and everybody who has traversed up there has to wait for you to slowly climb up your skin track( that takes up the whole face )  so they don't endanger you by possibly sending down an avy or sluff on you. Yes you legally can but it doesn't mean you should.
4. If you are a large group ( > 4 say)...consider that most BC skiers travel in more compact groups and that you will affect their day and possibly safety. Consider going to a less well traveled area where the affects of your large group size will have less impact on others.... OR plan and execute to get there first so that the other smaller groups have the option to move along when they come across you.( However the larger the group size the slower you will be)
5. Consider that large group sizes are inherently less safe in avy terrain.  Maybe 8 of you together isn't a good idea?????
6. If you have newbies or inexperienced skiers/riders consider their effect on others you might meet and adjust your destination accordingly.... OR plan and execute to get there first ( Always difficult to do with newbies or inexperienced groups but you should try)

Imagine that, Scotsman preaching to us about etiquette. I love it!

I like moscawulff's points on safety. Skiing down is another matter - the downhill skiers should be mindful of folks who are below them and not subject the folks downhill to hazard. There are of course situations where the folks below are dip$#!+$ for having come up the slope they're climbing, but that doesn't give anyone a pass to kick a slab onto them.

When skiing a slope that you plan to lap or others might lap, try to "spoon" turns with others' tracks in order to allow more skiers to enjoy fresh tracks, and/or otherwise be mindful of not "wasting" the powder canvas that others might enjoy.

When meeting groups who you've followed to the top of a mountain or run, check in with them to be sure you each understand each others' plans. Give them first dibs on lines if they got there first, even if they're still on their lunch break and your party is raring to strip and slide.

Be nice to newbies. We were all beginners once, and their cluelessness is usually easily corrected, and they'll learn best when not put on the defensive. Don't be afraid to point out what you consider to be errors in their ways, but you don't need to be mean about it! They might even do something nice for you in return!

Great topic,

Backcountry etiquette is not discussed very often and should be right up there with avalanche safety discussion when traveling in the backcountry. Simply respecting the guys that broke the trail and give them space to make it to the peak or ridge. Give thought to where you are going to make your turns, and please try to ski the fall line if possible! Unfortunately for some folks they are still learning how to ski the fall line so it may take going farther out to find the fresh tracks.

Attached is a good example of spooning your tracks.

...if I'm breaking trail with my companions for the day and a group following our skin track catches up and stays on our hinds until we top out.

...If you're setting a switch back in a tight chute or having another party following in poor sequence below you as you cut above them on a contoured slope, unstable snow, etc... it shouldn't rest upon the trail breaking group to account for the safely of those following...

Nicely stated Musca. I know while we've been touring together and other times too, people have rushed up behind us to ride our tails. Certain instances in the Tatoosh stick out vividly in my mind.

I feel that spacing is also something parties need to keep in mind for their own groups as well. Like crossing snow bridges, give the person ahead of you plenty of space in questionable terrain. Or use better routefinding skills. And if you're approaching the trail breaking party, either back way off or offer your services. I know when it's deep and I'm breaking and some group comes up behind closely, i'll stop, move aside and let them break. That's what they wanted, right?

Also, if the skintrack is already set, and someone is moving behind me faster than my pace, once I get to an area that's safe to do so, let them pass. There's no point in holding everyone else back if you're going at a slower pace.

Lastly, and most important,

Be nice to newbies. We were all beginners once, and their cluelessness is usually easily corrected, and they'll learn best when not put on the defensive. Don't be afraid to point out what you consider to be errors in their ways, but you don't need to be mean about it! They might even do something nice for you in return!

Well put Jim. There's a lot of new people getting into backcountry, and intolerance, aggro attitudes, and impatience is not going to be a good way to help them learn proper.

You can always tour with Kyle Miller. That can teach you good spacing!