Professional backcountry guide Neil McNab has been running backcountry courses for snowboarders in Chamonix since 1996. McNab's Backcountry courses cover avalanche safety and rescue techniques. High mountain awareness and terrain risk analysis are also on the agenda as are the essential rope, crampon and snowshoe techniques needed for safe travel on glaciated terrain. You will of course also learn the essential riding techniques needed to flow with the natural terrain on the way back down. www.mcnabsnowboarding.com.
There’s something almost magical about making turns down vast slopes of untracked perfect powder, flowing with the natural terrain, riding the natural sculptures, slashing the windlip, launching the roller, shooting through the narrows, dropping the rock band and charging down the steeps. The clear blue sky is pierced by the jagged peaks that fill the skyline, the air is cold and still, the mountain is quiet and you have all the time in the world.
This is the home of the backcountry freerider, an untamed winter playground that lies just beyond the boundaries of the groomed pistes. It is a world full of excitement, unlimited challenges and never-ending possibilities. It is also a world filled with danger and a world filled with many risks, some obvious and some less so.
Major advances in equipment, an ever-rising level of ability and today’s media fuelled ‘extreme fever’ have all helped make the backcountry more popular and more available to the masses. Today, the areas of the mountain that were once considered to be the domain of only the most experienced mountain user are frequently visited by snowboarders and skiers of all abilities and with vastly differing levels of experience and mountain knowledge.
I have been freeriding and guiding in the backcountry of the high mountains for nearly 20 years and during this time I have seen many changes. As already mentioned, advances in equipment and riding standards have made the backcountry both more enjoyable to ride and a whole lot safer than it was when I first ventured out under the ropes. At the same time however, the shear numbers heading beyond the boundaries of the groomed trails makes these areas almost appear to be less serious than they might have just a few years ago. It is not uncommon to find both experienced and inexperienced riders following the tracks of others and riding in areas that they have firstly no knowledge of and secondly they are under equipped to be in.
In my 20 years of freeride snowboarding, if I have learned one thing, it is to respect the environment in which I ride. There are no specific rules to follow and the mountains are open to everyone, we all share the amazing terrain found in these out of bounds areas, but we also all share the responsibility to be accountable for our own actions and to educate ourselves as to what these risks are and how best to avoid them.
We’ve all read the horror stories and seen the news. We all know that avalanches happen but the majority think they will affect someone else. Every time you duck under the ropes you are riding on an uncontrolled snowpack. Whilst for the most part this snowpack might be relatively stable unfortunately this is not always the case. Avalanches don’t just happen far from the lifts and they don’t just catch the inexperienced or the careless.
The survival statistics for an alive but buried avalanche victim are at around 90% if found within 15 minutes after burial. This drops to below 50% by 30 minutes. Around 75% of avalanche fatalities are caused by asphyxiation due to them not being uncovered in time. The average call-out time for an organized avalanche rescue is around 30 to 40 mins. Looking at these stats it is very clear that your best chance of survival if you are unfortunate enough to be caught and buried in an avalanche is going to come from those that you are riding with and the equipment that you are carrying.
The average rescue time for a trained searcher with a transceiver (the victim buried under 1 meter of snow) is around 10 minutes. If this searcher has a shovel and probe the rescue should be accomplished within this vital 15 minutes giving the victim a 90% chance of survival. If however, the searcher has only a transceiver, even though the victim’s vicinity may be roughly located within 10 minutes the recovery time statistically has now gone up towards 50 minutes. With a transceiver and shovel this time is now reduced to around 25 minutes and with a probe added to the equation the rescue should be accomplished within the golden 15 minutes.
So it’s clear that having the correct equipment and the ability to use them is essential for everybody venturing into the backcountry. Get a transceiver, a shovel and a probe and learn the techniques required to use them effectively. Amazing experiences await you away from the crowded pistes, just make sure your equipment and knowledge are up to the task.
Transceiver – this is a 457mhz signal transmitter and receiver that is used to pinpoint a victim’s location if they are unfortunate enough to be buried in an avalanche. There are many different types of transceiver available but the search procedures for most are very similar. Transceiver searches are very systematic and need practice.
Shovel – A shovel is essential for digging through avalanche debris, statistics prove that it will take 4 times longer to dig a victim out without one. Metal bladed shovels work the best but plastic ones are slightly lighter. Carry the shovel inside your pack so that you don’t lose it in a fall.
Probe – This is an extendable pole that is used to pinpoint the victim’s exact location once the transceiver search has located the rough position. The probe can massively cut down the amount of snow needing to be moved and dramatically reduce the time taken to recover the victim.
Backpack – A good quality backpack designed for backcountry riding is essential. A good backpack will fit all of your rescue kit inside and sit comfortably on your back without moving as you ride.
Crampons – Crampons are used for climbing steep and icy slopes. Some crampons are designed specifically for ski and snowboard boots so look for a pair that work for you. A crampon bag is essential.
Hydration system – A drinks hydration system is always a good idea but many have a habit of freezing up on a cold winter’s day. Insulate your drinks tube and blow air back into it when you are not using it. Some back packs have a sleeve for the tube in the shoulder strap, these work really well.
Extendable poles – These are essential for touring in the high mountains. Look for a pair that are light and easy to stow for when you are riding. Most extendable poles use a twist system that can ice up and stick on cold days. To avoid this take your poles apart and dry them out after each time you use them. It is also a good idea to carry a Leatherman multitool for emergencies.
Snowshoes – Snowshoes are essential for snowboarders looking to hike in the backcountry. Look for a snowshoe with good solid construction, effective crampon spikes underneath and a solid and easy system for attaching them to your boots.
Ice Axe – A lightweight axe designed for ski touring is perfect for backcountry access. An ice axe is not only used for climbing things in the winter, it is also used for making belays and anchors in the snow and is essential for glacier travel.
Rope – A rope is essential for glacier travel and high mountain adventures. A 30 metre semi static rope is usually adequate.
Harness – Never ride on a glacier without a harness. A lightweight mountaineering harness is perfect for backcountry touring. In the event of someone falling into a crevasse a harness is essential both for victim and rescuer.
Crevasse rescue kit – An assortment of ice screws and pulleys that are needed in order to pull someone out of a crevasse. Anyone riding on glaciated terrain should carry the essential items and know how to use them.
www.mcnabsnowboarding.com
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