BC Etiquette

I think its an experience thing. When I was less experienced than I am now( and I know... I'm still a gaper)... I would regularily follow the other person's tracks down a bowl because I was scared of the avy danger and thought that if I skied in the same tracks it would lessen my risk of hitting a pocket ( doesn't make a lot of sense when you understand avy slope more).
I try and pick an independant line now.

Same thing happend last year, when I was putting first tracks down a bowl and we had seen some vicious windslab cracking on the ridge. The others I was with skied down my tracks almost exactly ( not all of them but most of them)and at the bottom they admitted they were worried about the avy conditions and skied down my tracks as they thought that would lessen their risk.

Now that is sensible explanation.
But there needs to be a leader or person that helps the others to understand that it's OK and a better experience to ski your own line.

Sure beats discussing driving habits to the mountain.

It would seem to be a bit more like walking across a golfers line AFTER they putt, right? The practical implications are moot.
If I could lay down as attractive set of tracks as you do, I would probably propose such a standard of etiquette as well; but alas, I am a just a hound looking for powder.

Is this why we only seem to ski together in the spring?


The only time you have ever seemed old to me was just now when you said "duffer."

Now you know you can lay down a track with the best of them Snowbell.
I was trying to give an example of etiquette, like yelling at a tennis match as the serve is leaving the hand or talking in a backswing.
I know I can't change the world, but is it to much to ask for a little mindfulness?

Thanks buddy!

Could you get Carol to bring the whiskey with her? It'll save me some time.

Hilarious.

Good, I thought that you would.

You know me well enough to be comfortable with my loyalty and honor. (I hope)  We have, I seem to recall, come across this situation together with our partners.  Obviously, there will be situations where it is imperative for the group to stay together.  What I object to is the blanket notion that anytime a decenter in the group emerges, that it is required by etiquette for the entire group to retreat to the comfort level of the black bean bearer.   Sometimes, it is plainly reasonable for the group to split, (4 or more) which is a strategy that we have employed in the past.  I have had plenty of experiences when I used to run the side country with rowdy skiers where I demured from a line and had to find my own, less exposed way to the bottom.   That always seemed reasonable to me. If someone is not capeable of skiing a pitch alone here and there, perhaps they have over estimated the protection that their group provides them.

I do not intend to propose a flat "every man for himself" doctrine, rather I believe that when we tour the back country, we should look out for one another but be primarily responsible for ourselves and prepared to accept the terrain and conditions that we are likely to encounter.  I always try to keep the group together and am successful 95% of the time.  I just don't like the presumption that we will be attached at the hip for the day and must ski the exact same slopes all of the time, particularly when stability is solid and getting lost is a non issue.
(not to say that Scotsman doesdeep but no ganarly.
@ want to

mmmmh I like your more nuanced explanation and have no problems with groups splitting when in groups of 4. As I previously stated I think the problems become more apparent in this situation in groups of 3. Every situation is unique so its very difficult to generalize but I still think the pact must be honored.
Tell me waht you would do in the following situation.
3 skiers on a ridge, touring all day, plenty of lines dropped, avy consitions considerable. Below ridge are two different aspects... but both leading to an exit for the end of tour. One steep and exposed and ganrly... other steep and deep but not gnarly.  Skier s will be out of sight of each other during descent if they split up.
2 want to ski gnarly line, one doesn't?
What happens.

Edit: for Scottie, a picture

SchwiiiiinGGGG! God she's beautiful...

I don't take issue with someone skiing after me.
Just don't ski on top of my (ski) tracks. Find your own canvas to paint.
The buffer is: not skiing on the downhill tracks, be it 3 inches or 3 feet, just don't ski on my tracks.
This isn't something I just made up, it's pretty common skier knowledge and etiquette.
You can steal my woman and drink my whiskey, just don't ski over my (downhill) tracks.

Thanks, Joe. I never would have thought twice about skiing over somebody's tracks. I think this is an example of my ignorance of what I would call resort culture.

SchwiiiiinGGGG! God she's beautiful...

I did pause for a moment before posting.

Wasn't sure if sheep sex was TAYceptable.

Just in case it gets moderated....maybe save that image until you can get home and look at it while you're wearing your wellies?