Backcountry Stupidity

C

CabbyArrant

Member
So I work part time at a ski shop and this dude came in last week to get his wife fitted for boots. This dude was getting her fitted for touring boots and as I live in IL I started talking to this couple about their touring exploits. Come to find out that this guy has done “ a ton” of touring(allegedly) and that he is looking to teach his wife to tour with him. After talking to this guy for about 5 minutes I start getting an uneasy feeling for a couple of reasons. I asked him where he took his avy courses and he didn’t understand what I was talking about.Also, he started saying how he was disappointed that there is no touring equipment for children while acknowledging his toddler son sitting next to his wife. I also learned that the wife was getting her first pair of boots ever.

I try not to judge my customers but this entire dynamic left me with a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was completely blown away that this guy was so hell bent on taking others into the backcountry.

This entire encounter left a bad taste in my mouth. This dude was hell bent on taking his family into the backcountry and it just came off completely self centered. I think my problem is really with the idea of a small child being dragged into the backcountry. I’m all for people earning their turns but the backcountry I feel is a place that requires informed consent and that’s not something that small children can comprehend.

TLDR: Selfish dude from IL wants to take his beginner skier wife and toddler son in the backcountry. Is it ethical or just stupid?
 
14235707:TRVP_ANGEL said:
TIL theres backcountry in IL
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Nah, we got shitty hills but I know a few guys who head out west and go touring each year. But that’s why I’m suspect of anybody claiming they tour a lot when they live around here. It doesn’t take long to figure out who knows their shit and who doesn’t
 
On my way to the resort I always pay attention to the BC skiers coming out of the woods onto the road. There are always a few with no gear, but it used to be kind of a rarity. This year, there are a ton, even old ass guys, walking onto the road with literally zero gear. It's incredible.
 
Utah backcountry yesterday had it all going on. Surprised the UAC site didn’t crash due to so many accidents and reports. Only one dead - surprising.
 
People like that on the east coast are the fucking worst. They have this inflated ego that they’re a good skier cause they take a trip out west once a year. The disregard for avy safety this year blows my mind but I honestly just say fuck it and let those idiots learn the hard way. half the time these people think they’re the shit and aren’t even actually riding bc terrain just side country stuff outside of resort boundaries they assume is safe but don’t have the slightest clue that nearly half of avy fatalities are from idiots ducking ropes into uncontrolled areas.
 
I will say one hopeful thing about avy danger and kooks. The other year when CO was fucking sketchy there were very few fatalities when everything was sliding. People's friggin ice cube trays in their freezers were sliding. But the warning went out and were like "yo, no really dude yo, shit is sketchy, dont be an idiot and die" and people actually listened. That gave me some faith in people.
 
While some people listen, mountain towns and states in general this year have seen an influx of Jerry’s moving there because they now have the ability to work from home. The populations in places all over Colorado, Utah, Montana and the pnw have rapidly grown and the amount of people I see by themselves with nothing but their skis and skins at the trailhead in the morning is concerning to say the least

14235846:theabortionator said:
I will say one hopeful thing about avy danger and kooks. The other year when CO was fucking sketchy there were very few fatalities when everything was sliding. People's friggin ice cube trays in their freezers were sliding. But the warning went out and were like "yo, no really dude yo, shit is sketchy, dont be an idiot and die" and people actually listened. That gave me some faith in people.
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14235880:EvanMeyer said:
While some people listen, mountain towns and states in general this year have seen an influx of Jerry’s moving there because they now have the ability to work from home. The populations in places all over Colorado, Utah, Montana and the pnw have rapidly grown and the amount of people I see by themselves with nothing but their skis and skins at the trailhead in the morning is concerning to say the least
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I mean i get it. I lived in taboe when we got nuked the weekend if the rona. Every tool with no abilities was in the backcountry the next few weeks. I only went out once. People riding in high avy danger solo to make shitty videos to post to touring groups. Carparks full. Idk. Fuck it. Idk. I just went skating more.
 
14235846:theabortionator said:
I will say one hopeful thing about avy danger and kooks. The other year when CO was fucking sketchy there were very few fatalities when everything was sliding. People's friggin ice cube trays in their freezers were sliding. But the warning went out and were like "yo, no really dude yo, shit is sketchy, dont be an idiot and die" and people actually listened. That gave me some faith in people.
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unfortunately not this year :/ I think we're between 4-6 deaths this season alone. be safe out there folks.
 
14235913:edai said:
unfortunately not this year :/ I think we're between 4-6 deaths this season alone. be safe out there folks.
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Dang. CO is gnar. Was wild road tripping and seeing the carnage the last few years.

Idk i hope people get it together but the facebook tourings groups are very "i bought a setup, i cmdont have money for a beacon, where are the sickest zones?" Regardless of avy danger.
 
14235770:SkiBum. said:
Utah backcountry yesterday had it all going on. Surprised the UAC site didn’t crash due to so many accidents and reports. Only one dead - surprising.
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Just checked out the reports on the UAC site, 26 slides reported in a day is fucked
 
"Can you put together a touring package under $500 for me?"

"HOW ABOUT I FUCK YOUR WIFE IN FRONT OF YOU INSTEAD? STUPID FUCKING GAPER CUCK!"
 
14235846:theabortionator said:
I will say one hopeful thing about avy danger and kooks. The other year when CO was fucking sketchy there were very few fatalities when everything was sliding. People's friggin ice cube trays in their freezers were sliding. But the warning went out and were like "yo, no really dude yo, shit is sketchy, dont be an idiot and die" and people actually listened. That gave me some faith in people.
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These are IL kooks though. They have no respect for the mountains
 
"Only ___ people die a year from avalanches... thats less than the flu, are you really going to live in fear"

seems like he would follow that same covid Denyer rhetoric
 
14235969:CrunnchyVanMan said:
"Only ___ people die a year from avalanches... thats less than the flu, are you really going to live in fear"

seems like he would follow that same covid Denyer rhetoric
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idk if i would say being clueless to avy danger and being skeptical about some bs regulations are the same.
 
14236367:-olives said:
idk if i would say being clueless to avy danger and being skeptical about some bs regulations are the same.
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Depends if the cluelessness is on purpose for the sake of ignorance or if they legitimately don’t know the danger
 
14236382:CrunnchyVanMan said:
Depends if the cluelessness is on purpose for the sake of ignorance or if they legitimately don’t know the danger
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to clarify what i said, i agree that whoever says something like that is just a fucking idiot regardless. how can you blatantly ignore avalanche dangers? to make you seem more hardcore? thats wild to me
 
14236388:-olives said:
to clarify what i said, i agree that whoever says something like that is just a fucking idiot regardless. how can you blatantly ignore avalanche dangers? to make you seem more hardcore? thats wild to me
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Ah yea I misunderstood probably. but yea its wack. to be honest I think you seem more hardcore when you act smart about mountain safety. lets ur partners or crew know you know your shit and have enough brainspace for avvy knowledge (cuz it takes quite a bit)
 
14236401:CrunnchyVanMan said:
Ah yea I misunderstood probably. but yea its wack. to be honest I think you seem more hardcore when you act smart about mountain safety. lets ur partners or crew know you know your shit and have enough brainspace for avvy knowledge (cuz it takes quite a bit)
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100% agree! we live in a world of kooks
 
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