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Is a probe absolutely neccessary for backcountry skiing?

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NWlife.
Posts: 179 - Karma: 14
just wondering how much a avii probe is actually needed when i go out of the boundaries and do some hiking. from the PNW
Jan 4 2012 10:03PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
I'm not sure why I am dignifying this with a response.

Ya, it is kinda nice to be able to find your buddy when he is buried in an avalanche...
Jan 4 2012 10:05PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
i was thinking the same thing.


op, you should never ever go out of bounds, you are clearly uneducated and unaware of what could happen.

Jan 4 2012 10:15PM
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thegouda
Posts: 196 - Karma: 57
beaconshovelprobe is one word
Jan 4 2012 10:40PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
i usually just poke around with my pole for a few min, it works just as well
Jan 4 2012 10:42PM
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Wood_Wizard
Posts: 805 - Karma: 899
In your case you might as well not bring a transceiver either 
Jan 4 2012 10:42PM
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Flying~Squirrel
Posts: 6494 - Karma: 192
not on the east coast
Jan 4 2012 10:43PM
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NWlife.
Posts: 179 - Karma: 14
should have clarified. should i buy a probe if i already have a shovel handle that extends out a good 5 feet??
Jan 5 2012 8:57PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
As long as buddy does not end up 5 1/2 feet deep...

How well can you probe through settled snow and ice with a shovel handle?

I think you should read more, and look for some actual back country training before going for any more walks. Also let me know when and where you will be so I can stay the fuck away.
Jan 5 2012 9:03PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Considering a probe is one of the cheaper "essentials" you should just fucking buy one. I dare you to try a rescue without one. Then again, if you're making a thread like this, you should reconsider your decision to go out of bounds
Jan 5 2012 9:05PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
I take it you havent had Avy 1.
Jan 5 2012 9:08PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 465
It's also a good idea to go alone OP
Jan 5 2012 9:27PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
op that's like asking if you need a condom to have sex with a chick who isnt on birth control. sure you can do it but it's a risky move and youre a dumbass if you dont use one
Jan 5 2012 10:35PM
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openmindportrait
Posts: 1157 - Karma: 818
I actually had to make sure you asked that question. Wow your a dumbass. Please do whoever is skiing with you a favor and take an Avy class
Jan 6 2012 12:20AM
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PJS.
Posts: 11943 - Karma: 895
are you fucking kidd-what?
Jan 6 2012 12:42AM
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PJS.
Posts: 11943 - Karma: 895
are you fucking kidd-what?
Jan 6 2012 12:42AM
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PJS.
Posts: 11943 - Karma: 895
are you fucking kidd-what?
Jan 6 2012 12:42AM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,354
Woah tripple post fail.
Jan 6 2012 12:48AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
Such a great example of how to use the Golden Rule (or Categorical Imperative)... wouldn't you want your friends to have probes if you were buried under 5' of snow?
Jan 6 2012 1:36AM
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AlpentalAnon
Posts: 46 - Karma: 17
Nah, all that essential safety stuff will just get in the way.  Plus you'd have to ski with a bag.  What you really need is a quality rescue dog to run alongside you in the BC.  They'll find a buried victim and do all the digging for you.
Jan 6 2012 3:40AM
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MikeWalsh
Posts: 486 - Karma: 13
I know this is a really stupid question but what is the purpose of a probe? i know you guys arer hateing on him but i think if you explained the purpose of it it may be more obvious why he needs one, having one and not knowing why or how you use it is as useless as not having one.

Ive always wondered if you both have trancievers why you need to probe to find the person. Is it precision?
Jan 6 2012 7:03AM
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-Otto-
Posts: 456 - Karma: 40
Probe is to be 100% sure that you're going to dig in the right spot and in the right direction towards a victim. Besides that it will tell you if there really is somebody down there. For all you know it could be only their beacon lying there.


Just buy one, it's not that expensive and it will save lifes.

Besides that, take an Avy class.
Jan 6 2012 7:15AM
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-Otto-
Posts: 456 - Karma: 40
And I know, chances are slim that it's onyl their beacon lying there. Your beacon should always be on your chest, underneath your jacket. NOT in your pack.
Jan 6 2012 7:16AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
two things i'd do
kick dad in the nuts for taking drugs while inseminating mom
sar on speed dial
oh and the real ben chetler is crying right now
Jan 6 2012 8:00AM
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thegouda
Posts: 196 - Karma: 57
please get your avy 1 before going into the backcountry
Jan 6 2012 2:37PM
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