Back Country Safety: Ideas for solo travel

While not a tree well, 6 weeks ago I wound up head down in creek at the bottom of Bundy's.  In one respect I was very lucky that I twisted so hard that I ripped the binding off my split board interface.  I don't think I would have been able to extricate myself if I was locked in and my partner was quite a ways below me.  I think it would have taken him considerable time to get to me.  Having one foot free allowed me to get my leg back under me, by far the scariest fall I've ever taken.  Obviously soloing on a board near trees and creeks brings an additional set of safety concerns.  For that matter, splitting with a partner may not be enough when it comes to falling in wells and creeks.  In the end, I was very lucky to have come away with only a grade 1 MCL strain.

OMG! Slow down, dude!

Mmmmm, I'd forgotten about hollow bridges over creeks. Although these tend to vanish later in the season, I've contemplated the likelihood of hanging upside down with my head submerged under running water at the bottom of a gully. And the creeks all open up again in the spring, and they get more energetic as well.

Gerry, I use releasable tele bindings, but I'm hopeful I won't need to twist out of one while upside down in a tree well in real danger of suffocation. The couple of times I've ended up partially buried in tree wells my partners were unaware and couldn't find me despite my bellowing. I now carry a whistle within easy reach, but I think the salient point is that even the presence of one or more partners doesn't make it *safe,* exactly. To the extent that there is such a thing as safety, it resides in the choices we make more than the presence of other skiers.

On the other hand, on the one occasion when I broke my leg skiing alone I was quite pleased when I finally crawled far enough to meet the couple of Canadian skiers who helped me to my car. This experience always informs my backcountry decisionmaking, whether alone or not.

Mark

Great topic! This web site and the people involved not only provide us with BC resources and info but also bring up a lot of thought provoking ideas.

When touring solo I like to make sure I have extra food and clothes. I also make sure I know exactly where I am traveling so I can leave detailed information with my wife and in my car. I make sure that I have a whistle and a bivy sack with me, although those items are great to have wheather you are solo or not. I always carry a transceiver, probe, and shovel just in case I need to assist in a rescue. I would feel quite guilty if something were to happen to and I was unable to be of any help.

Most of the time when going solo I will choose a destination that has other BC skiers in the area. In case something were to happen there is a better chance another group would see it and be able to help. I also try to pick a conservative line away from hazards. The most important things you can do is keep a level head, try not to make any spontaneous decisions, and of course make it home safe.

We all love the backcountry (else why would you be reading this?) and I wish everyone here safe and happy touring. The easiest way to know you've had a successful day touring is to check your face when the day is complete.... if you find yourself smiling....then you must have done it right.

Great posts and discussion. 

I try to avoid soloing, but do on occasion.  The only thing I'd add is to ski well within your own ability and conditioning.  I tend to bail out of my initial line choice more when skiing solo and try to take less chances while skiing.  I also try to listen to my legs more and choose the easier route sooner (with tired legs).


That doesn't mean don't open it up 


This is a great quote, agree 100%!

The easiest way to know you've had a successful day touring is to check your face when the day is complete.... if you find yourself smiling....then you must have done it right.

I'm confused. I thought the danger of a tree well was suffocation. How would rope and knife help in that situation?

Obviously if you go in head first and get buried, not much will help. But, sometimes the tree well situation is just a trap that you can`t get out of. Here is why I carry knife and rope:

Couple of years back, I was riding through Jacks Woods At Meadows solo and jumped over a wind lip only to be snagged by a stump sticking out. The thing went between my feet and I got hung upside down by my board. I was literally hanging there with no way to get loose. I had my pack on so I was able to get it off and able to get into it. I carry a techna knife with a 6 inch straight blade (non folding) I actually used the knife to cut through my binding straps on one foot and get free. I carry zip ties as well and once free, I zip tied by foot into my binding and rode out to the Heather Chair.

From that incident,as well as my river running, I always keep a straight bladed knife in my gear.

As for rope, if you are trapped in a well (assuming you are upright) you can throw the rope over a limb above and pull yourself out possibly. A rope is also pretty handy to help out someone out who is stuck in a creek or deep ravine.

Another incident:

A fellow instructor and I were riding the trees in Private Reserve at Meadows and we went down into the ravine. It had snowed nearly 5 feet in the past few days. I dropped in lower where the ravine was more open and while I got stuck and had to basically swim out, my friend went in higher and got stuck, The more he tried to claw his way out, the mores snow slid down on top of him. In the end, we told him to stop moving and went for ski patrol who lowered a rope to him so he could climb and be pulled up out of that trap. I always include a section of rope in my pack, summer or winter.

This is why I enjoy skiing with skilled friends - we can ski a greater array of slopes without necessarily amping up the risk.  Companion rescue is a wonderful thing.

This quote brings up an interesting question for me.
To what degree do we justify exposing ourselves to greater risk based on our perceived ability to handle a slide if it occurs?
You say you are not amping up the risk, but I would disagree. By exposing yourself to slopes that are more likely to slide, you are by definition exposing yourself to more risk. You or your partners may be able to deal with the consequences, but that does not affect the risk. The outcomes of getting caught in a side are highly variable and difficult to predict, so we have to assume getting caught in a slide will result in a medical emergency. Getting caught in a slide is not an option.

Is it appropriate to ski a slope just because you know your partner can find 3 beacons in under 5 minutes? Does it matter that you have partners, shovel, beacon, probe if you blow your knee in a slide and are 5 miles from the road? If you had an airbag, would you ski an even greater array of slopes?

However, people do get caught in slides, remain uninjured and their partners are able to rescue them. Airbags do prevent people from getting buried. So the rescue gear/ training does work, it's just not 100% effective.

Again, the question is to what DEGREE does the ability to handle an avalanche incident affect your decision making and risk exposure?

Discuss.