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← Setting Goals Drives More Focus
The Hormones of Hiking →

Avalanche Safety Myths Debunked

Posted on December 1, 2018August 22, 2024 by Backcountry Fever

Nice reminder from Miss Adventure Pants of things we need to pay attention to as we begin this winter backcountry hiking season!

MYTH #1: Avalanches aren’t a big problem in the Lower 48

MYTH #2: Avalanches aren’t a problem for hikers

MYTH #3: Avalanche slopes are obvious

MYTH #4: Staying off steep slopes will keep me safe

MYTH #5: Following the boot pack will keep me safe

MYTH #6: If the avalanche forecast is moderate, I don’t need to worry

MYTH #7: If I’ve taken an avalanche course, I don’t need to worry

MYTH #8: If I have avalanche gear, I don’t have to worry

MYTH #9: Avalanches aren’t dangerous in the spring and summer

MYTH #10: If I’m caught in an avalanche, I’ll outrun it

MYTH #11: If I’m caught in an avalanche, I’ll dig myself out

I couldn’t agree more with her point that “developing your avalanche judgment is an experiential, lifelong endeavor.”  There are so many complex factors involved (from snow to human) that make this such a challenge.

I also think it’s also super important to “choose like-minded companions”.  I’ve snowshoed with a few people that have demonstrated a sketchy sense of avy awareness by some of the choices they were making.  It definitely made me nervous to the point where I will decline future invites from those individuals.

Read the full article here!

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The Hormones of Hiking →

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Didn`t get much mountaineering in this Spring, so trying to catch the last bit of something before the snow`s all gone.

#mountaineering #snowhike #wolverinecirque #abovebrighton #brighton #springadventures #springhike #westillhavesnow #utahhiking #mtmillicent #mtwolverine #patsymarley #ridgehike

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Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18071868488494094
Didn't get much mountaineering in this Spring, so trying to catch the last bit of something before the snow's all gone.

#mountaineering #snowhike #wolverinecirque #abovebrighton #brighton #springadventures #springhike #westillhavesnow #utahhiking #mtmillicent #mtwolverine #patsymarley #ridgehike

Not too many cold weather weekends left to go winter camping!

#coldweathercamping #wintercamping #wintercamp #uintas #sledsintow #stillwinterhere #winterfun

16 0
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18363244447130614
Not too many cold weather weekends left to go winter camping!

#coldweathercamping #wintercamping #wintercamp #uintas #sledsintow #stillwinterhere #winterfun

Bagged Bierstadt today! Thought I could get Evans too, but took one look at The Sawtooth and went "nope"! I was also by myself... either way, that stretch looked intense even without the snow.

Get the full trip report at BackcountryFever.com/CO

#bierstadt #mountbierstadt #mtbierstadt #mtbierstadtsummit #winterroute #snowshoeing #snowshoeadventures #hikecolorado #hikeco #colorado14ers #colorado14er #14er #14ers #14ersummit #peakbagging #summitchaser

28 1
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 17901033000080878
Bagged Bierstadt today!  Thought I could get Evans too, but took one look at The Sawtooth and went "nope"! I was also by myself... either way, that stretch looked intense even without the snow.

Get the full trip report at BackcountryFever.com/CO

#bierstadt #mountbierstadt #mtbierstadt #mtbierstadtsummit #winterroute #snowshoeing #snowshoeadventures #hikecolorado #hikeco #colorado14ers #colorado14er #14er #14ers #14ersummit #peakbagging #summitchaser

Is there any other way to conclude an epic adventure but with a nice thick juicy burger?? ...I think not!

#epicadventure #endofanexpedition #juicyburger #smashburger #estiloburgers #mendoza #mendozaargentina

16 0
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18067066903895161
Is there any other way to conclude an epic adventure but with a nice thick juicy burger?? ...I think not!

#epicadventure #endofanexpedition #juicyburger #smashburger #estiloburgers #mendoza #mendozaargentina

Our Summit Team :: Aconcagua 2025

#aconcaguasummit #aconcagua #summitteam

30 5
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18058321457068211
Our Summit Team :: Aconcagua 2025

#aconcaguasummit #aconcagua #summitteam

It was a grueling day, but I made it!! It took 10h 32m to go only 2 miles from Camp 3, but we gained 3,400 feet in that distance. It`s by far the hardest thing I`ve ever done, physically and mentally.

#aconcaguasummit #aconcagua

46 18
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18126584092419015
It was a grueling day, but I made it!! It took 10h 32m to go only 2 miles from Camp 3, but we gained 3,400 feet in that distance.  It's by far the hardest thing I've ever done, physically and mentally.

#aconcaguasummit #aconcagua

Gotta love a good day of rest. It`s breezy at Camp 2, but the sun is bright and warms up our tents like a little greenhouse. The forecast remains stable for a summit attempt on Tuesday morning. So that means we will move to Camp 3 tomorrow, which should be another tough one. It`s only 1 mile away, but gains about 1,500` to 19,500 and our loads aren`t too much lighter. We ate some and will be wearing more, so hopefully that helps. Other than that, with no wi-fi above 18,000`, will give the next update on Wednesday.

#aconcagua #aconcaguaexpedition #climbaconcagua #camp2 #restday #wifiat18000ft #inka #inkaalltheway #inkaexpediciones #mountainsarecalling #mountainlife #highpoint #tallestpeak #tallestpeakinsouthamerica #chompians

35 4
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18139062649378825
Gotta love a good day of rest. It's breezy at Camp 2, but the sun is bright and warms up our tents like a little greenhouse.  The forecast remains stable for a summit attempt on Tuesday morning.  So that means we will move to Camp 3 tomorrow, which should be another tough one.  It's only 1 mile away, but gains about 1,500' to 19,500 and our loads aren't too much lighter.  We ate some and will be wearing more, so hopefully that helps. Other than that, with no wi-fi above 18,000', will give the next update on Wednesday.

#aconcagua #aconcaguaexpedition #climbaconcagua #camp2 #restday #wifiat18000ft #inka #inkaalltheway #inkaexpediciones #mountainsarecalling #mountainlife #highpoint #tallestpeak #tallestpeakinsouthamerica #chompians

I don`t know what I think about today... let`s see how I feel tomorrow. We decided to do a full carry to Camp 2 today, which means all gear up in 1 shot. We need to move up the mountain quicker because the better weather day is Tuesday (a day earlier than our original plan). So with violet winds in our face, we trudged up 2 more miles and another 1,600 feet to Camp 2 at 18,100. It was exhausting and now very much looking forward to another rest day (although I`m sure it will be spent mostly in the tent and out of the wind).

34 6
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18024763490380295
I don't know what I think about today... let's see how I feel tomorrow. We decided to do a full carry to Camp 2 today, which means all gear up in 1 shot. We need to move up the mountain quicker because the better weather day is Tuesday (a day earlier than our original plan). So with violet winds in our face, we trudged up 2 more miles and another 1,600 feet to Camp 2 at 18,100. It was exhausting and now very much looking forward to another rest day (although I'm sure it will be spent mostly in the tent and out of the wind).

We moved to Camp 1 at 16,400 feet today, bringing the rest of the gear and food needed for the next 5 days. It was a repeat of the 2nd toughest day we did on Wednesday, so I guess it was another tough day but it is only onward and upward from here... no turning back at this point.

We did take a different way up the moraine this time, which was way cool! Lots of people were also on the move as we all try to catch the next weather window before this Aconcagua climbing season comes to an end.

It may also look like a long conga line, but it really isn`t. No one is in any rush since the process of ascending is a very slow one.

28 0
Open post by backcountryfever with ID 18048266798187069
We moved to Camp 1 at 16,400 feet today, bringing the rest of the gear and food needed for the next 5 days. It was a repeat of the 2nd toughest day we did on Wednesday, so I guess it was another tough day but it is only onward and upward from here... no turning back at this point.

We did take a different way up the moraine this time, which was way cool!  Lots of people were also on the move as we all try to catch the next weather window before this Aconcagua climbing season comes to an end. 

It may also look like a long conga line, but it really isn't. No one is in any rush since the process of ascending is a very slow one.
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