Backcountry Rescue

We’d done it: graduated from Bruno’s garage to a real office/warehouse space in North Boulder. But there was some work to do: the shop smelled like 20W-50 and there was still a car on blocks inside, without a transmission. In the office, an old search warrant was laying on the floor. Our neighbors included the Boulder Homeless Shelter and the Bustop Gentleman’s Club (a.k.a. strip joint). Our new space in this glamorous neighborhood would be Mission Control for our launch of Tracker DTS, the world’s first digital avalanche transceiver.

Within three years of our big launch, Tracker DTS had taken over the U.S. market. And it was gaining traction in Europe, touching off some heated competition that later became known by industry insiders as the “Beacon Wars.”

U.S. snowmobile avalanche fatalities were down 54% (all users) in the 21-22 season compared to the 20-21 season. But common accident problems and patterns contributed to the 6 motorized avalanche deaths - all triggered on persistent weak layers by uneducated and ill-prepared riders. Mike Duffy reports on the impacting factors.

Strategic shovelling is critical as it consumes most of the time during an avalanche rescue. Learn the new Strike Team Shovelling Method that takes the best of the strategic shovelling and V-shaped conveyor methods commonly taught in avalanche rescue courses. BCA ambassador Jordy Shepherd reports.

Burials deeper than your avalanche probe are not common, but if one occurs, you should be practiced in this Strike Team Shovelling technique for the greatest chance of survival.