- BITS-Friendly Trip -

While the snow is still scarce, let's try to take our skis/boards out for a walk and work on a few things to get ready for the season. The destination is TBD based on weather this week and any reports/information that can lead us to better coverage (beta welcome!). Turns will not be a priority and might not really happen - more likely that we will be coming down a summer trail (e.g. Burstall Pass, Healy Pass). Objectives for the day are 1) avoid getting injured and wrecking equipment, 2) getting into the groove of moving uphill with skis/split skis on, 3) practising beacon searching / rescue scenarios in the snow and 4) doing a shake-down on gear and systems for the season. We will have a pre-trip discussion Friday night.

If you are registered in BITS this winter, you are welcome to join - note that this is not part of the BITS program, just a warm up to the season. 

- Three-antenna beacon (marking/masking function recommended)

- Metal shovel

- Probe

- Helmet

- Current, signed off electronic waiver through the ACC National membership system

- An older pair of skis / splitboard

- National park pass / K-Country pass

Note: if you are unsure of what to bring for a day of skiing/splitboarding, we can discuss in advance.

Backcountry Skiing / Splitboarding Hazards

• Avalanche
  • • Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering. Caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain 
      
  • • Anyone caught in a avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and or property damage or loss

• Terrain
  • • Cornices
    • Crevasses
    • Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps
    • Cliffs
    • Creeks
    • Rocks and Boulders
    • Variable and difficult snow conditions
    • Impact or collision with other persons or objects
    • Encounters with domestic or wild animals
    • Loss of balance or control
    • Becoming lost or separated from the group
    • Slips, trips, and falls

• Boots and Binding systems
  • Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly. The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured. Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
  • Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.

• Communication, rescue, and medical treatment
  • • Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident rescue and treatment may not be available
    • Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment or transportation out of the field,
    • Alpine weather conditions can be extreme and change rapidly without warning making travel by helicopter, snowmobile, snowcat, dangerous
    • If an injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow

• • Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor
  • Infectious disease contracted via direct or indirect contact, including but not limited to influenza or Covid-19
  • Equipment failure
  • Negligence of other persons, including other participants and/or the trip coordinator