Backcountry Advice

Be smart. Be prepared. The backcountry is magical, it is beautiful, but it can be dangerous.

Traveling and playing in the backcountry is nothing to take lightly. The weather can change in a moment; the wind can change conditions drastically and instantly. Heed this warning. It can snow somewhere in Colorado every month of the year. Be prepared in case you are out enjoying yourself in that “somewhere.” Temperature falls about three degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000ft of altitude. It can get cold very fast, even in the summer. Always carry an extra layer of clothing. Always think ahead and always be prepared. Do not rely solely on modern technology. It will never replace maps, compasses and good old common sense.

Before Starting Any Outdoor Activity- Summer or Winter

• Tell a reliable person where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Carry extra food and at least two quarts of water.
• Be sure you follow all posted safety warnings.
• Have the proper equipment and know how to use it.
• Carry a survival kit that includes a map and compass, shelter, knife, matches and fire starter, flashlight, a signaling device, and a first aid kit. Even on a light summer hike, carry even the basic tools to help you when you will need it most.
• Wear the proper clothes and shoes. Carry layers. Never use cotton. It retains water and can make you cold.
• Always check the weather and snow conditions.
• Understand and stay within your own limitations and abilities! Once you have reached your destination, you are only halfway; you still need to back to your starting point.

 

Avalanche Warning

Wind can whip snow into ground blizzards and reduce visibility to zero. Avalanches can be triggered even on gentle slopes. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (the snow people, not the NHL hockey guys) can be reached at (303) 499-9650 (Denver), (970) 668-0600 (neighboring Summit County) or http://geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche.

Don't Wander Off

Hiking is not recommended off plowed roads or in deep snow. Hiking through snow is exhausting. Strap on snowshoes or cross-country skis instead.

The CORSAR Card
The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue card helps reimburse search-and-rescue teams and sheriff departments. Backcountry skiers and other individuals may purchase the card for $3 per year or $12 for five years. Whether or not a person who needs to be rescued has a CORSAR card has no bearing on the rescue or whether the person will be charged for a rescue. The card is a way to support the state’s mostly volunteer search-and-rescue crews. For more information on a CORSAR card visit www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/fa/sar/sar_purchase.html.

Tech Tips

When in Doubt, Read the Instructions

Last winter eight false alarms from an emergency signal sent by an ACR Electronics MicroFix PLB (personal locator beacon) sent multiple search-and-rescue teams on wild goose chases near Berthoud Pass. The emergency signals bounced off a satellite and were picked up by the U.S. Air Force, sending rescuers from the Air Force, local sheriff departments and search-and-rescue teams looking for someone in need. All PLBs are supposed to be registered through NOAA. This one was not. And no one was in need. The user may have mistaken the PLB for a common avalanche transceiver, turning the unit on and off when entering potential avalanche terrain. That person probably had not read the owner’s manual.

A Clear View of the Sky
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a constellation of 27 earth-orbiting satellites (24 in operation and three extras in case one fails) developed by the U.S. military. Each of these solar-powered satellites circles the globe so that, at any time, there are at least four satellites “visible” in the sky. A GPS receiver’s job is to locate these satellites. Here the magic word is locate. GPS units will not work in canyons or in dense forest. You must have a clear view of the sky for a GPS unit to work.

Another Technology Glitch

Cell phones do not always work in the mountains. If you have to use one for an emergency, a higher ridgeline will give you the best reception. If you call 911, tell them you are in Grand County. Depending on where you are, you may reach an emergency center for a different county or even state. One 911 call from Rocky Mountain National Park went to a communications center in Wyoming.