Locater Beacons

[tombogan03884]

Personally I think while they are a really cool thing to have when you REALLY need it. Most of the time you can get cell service. Also, most of the trips I take every ounce is critical. I'm not going to take anything that will weigh me down anymore than I already am. It's hard enough climbing with a 40+ pound pack on, I'm not going to add more that MIGHT be of use. Especially when I have already managed to get myself out of 20 years worth of bad situations without it.

I hear what you're saying JC, I used to tear the covers off my map books.
But on the other hand it seems like a gun or a spare tire, when you need it you REALLY REALLY need it.

[JC5123]

True, and I guess I never thought about it in that sense. (too damn self reliant for my own good  )

[PegLeg45]

Don't forget the training requirements, and the requirement to show proficiency with the device before your permit is issued.

And there's your next class, dude!!!!         

[JC5123]

If you REALLY want to make it in the backcountry, there are really only 3 things you need.

Brains, balls, and enough experience to know which one to use.

The last one is tricky of course, but that's why you should be honest with yourself before planning a trip and know what your abilities truly are. Then plan your trip based on that. When I first got into backcountry sports, I would run into the old crusty hikers and climbers that looked (and smelled) like they lived there.

Today it's GPS guided, solar showered, eco friendly, metrosexual, yuppie pantywaists from Seattle that come clanking down the trail carrying huge packs full of brand new gear bought from a catalog, half of which they will never use, trying to prove that they are still men, and failing MISERABLY!!!!!!!!

Ok, I'm done now.

[Timothy]

What JC just described is about the same as my early years of skiing.  I'd be wearing torn jeans, a t-shirt, windbreaker on old broken in boots, skis that I'd found a flea market, mounted my trusty Salomon bindings too, a decent pair of gloves and a pair of sunglasses.

I'd spend all day on the black diamond runs watching boneheads in $1000.00 worth of Decente ski outfits, another 1K worth of equipment that couldn't ski a lick...my best friend and I would run 'em into the woods for fun!

My return to the slopes a few years ago wasn't much different except for the annoying little peckerwoods on snowboards with no sense to get the heck out of the way!

OK, I'm done too....can't ski anymore anyway with a hip implant...crap!

[Sponsor]

[JC5123]

DUUUUUUUUDE!!!!! Shovel Racing is for you!!!!




And these guys go all out!!!



Although........