Beacon Practice Areas List

[LaramieSkiBum]

Thought I would start a thread for this since there were few threads this year - all of the ones I have found have been sponsered by BCA

If anyone has updates to these, please post and i will update this post accordingly

2006-2007 is here, help keep this updated and post when your Beacon Basin opens!

Closed or Not Open Yet for 05/06
Open for 05/06
Complications - Does it exist, where is it, when does it open??


UTAH
Snowbird - Link (http://www.storesbystate.com/cgi-bin/pages.pl?dcardinale::view_product::ava_link1)- See Post #20
The Canyons - Link (http://www.thecanyons.com/corp/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=-3363080736469435697)
Woodlands (Uintah's!, targeted at sledders) - Link (http://www.bcaccess.com/home_menu/News/BBForSledders.php)

COLORADO
Breck - Link (http://www.bcaccess.com/home_menu/News/BBasinAtBreck.php) (north of the Vista Haus on Peak 8, near the top of the Colorado SuperChair lift) - see posts below
Loveland Basin??
Vail - the top of the Sundown bowl lift

WYOMING
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (base of Rendezvous Bowl) See Post #35
Teton Pass (Phillips Ridge - unconfirmed exact location) See post #7,#24

CALIFORNIA
Kirkwood, CA (located adjacent to the east end of the Plaza)
Squaw Valley, CA ??

WASHINGTON

Crystal Mountain, WA (Campbell Basin Lodge) - see post #37
Stevens Pass, WA (accesible from the base area. No ticket required up the hill by the Tube City yurt) - no '06 update see post #37
Alpental, Washington - not for sure yet, see post #40

MONTANTA
Bridger Bowl, MT

BC
Red Resort (100m from the base area) - see post #39
Whistler / Blackcomb, BC - see post #29
Whitewater, BC
Kokanee Glacier National Park, BC
Revelstoke, BC ??
Fernie B.C. - open for 05/06 - see post #28

AB
Canmore, AB ??

AK
Eaglecrest - Juneau, AK - next year possibly


Depending on the site, a Beacon Basin features 6 to 14 permanently buried transmitters wired to a central control panel. The panel consists of up to 14 switches for turning the transmitters on and off, plus a remote power supply consisting of 6 alkaline D cells. These sites are hosted by local avalanche professionals and managed by BCA technical representatives. To organize a transceiver training day at the Beacon Basin in your area, contact BCA at (303)417-1345 or steve@bcaccess.com.

EDIT: Dont forget to bring your own batteries just in case! 6 D cells!

this is kept updated list per suggestions below

[LaramieSkiBum]

Beacon Basin Field Instructions (http://www.bcaccess.com/documents/BeaconBasinFieldInstructions_001.pdf) <-- link to PDF, here is text version for you peeps on slow connections:

Beacon Basin Field Instructions
1. Retrieve batteries, shovel, and probe from issuing authorities.

2. Uncover the control box at Beacon Basin. It should be marked by a bamboo pole, or other object, that is easy to find. Pay attention not to hit any wires while excavating.

3. Insert 6 C batteries into control box battery panel.

4. The beacons are labeled by number. Each switch turns on a beacon. It is possible to have one or all beacons transmitting at once. We recommend a few simple practice searches involving one beacon before advancing to multiple burials.

5. When a beacon is found, pinpoint it by probing and striking the probe target above the beacon. It is unnecessary to dig up the beacon once it has been found. The searcher can choose to have the beacon turned off or continue searching for other beacons.

6. When finished searching, please log into the Beacon Basin log book. Note how many hours you or your group practiced searching and the types of search scenarios. Next, remove the batteries, close and rebury the control box, and mark it with bamboo stick or other marker.

7. Return the batteries, shovel and probe to issuing authorities. Please notify them with any concerns, for example, if transmitters can’t be found or probe targets are buried too deep.


Tips

Each beacon is buried at ground level and should have a probe target placed .25m below the surface. Do not dig up the beacons or probe target.

1. When abandoning your primary search, mark that spot with the fine search marker (wire flag).

2. Multiple burials: after pinpointing each transmitter with the probe, place a wire flag at the found beacon.

3. Once all transmitters have been pinpointed in the immediate area, and you suspect others are still buried, return to your fine search point to resume your primary search.

4. See other side for general transceiver search tips. See www.bcaccess.com for basic and advanced tutorials for those using the Tracker DTS transceiver.

[MOHSHSIHd]

good thread

[char]

FYI

It is my understanding that Stevens and Alpental do not currently have their beacon basins up and running due to a lack of snow. If it was a normal year they would.

Stevens is up the hill by the Tube City yurt.

[snowfire]

fyi again, Arapahoe Basin CO does NOT have a "beacon basin." I wish they did, and it's something I'm mentioning to other patrollers. They have a yearly "beacon bowl", a competition + practice area where CAIC comes and helps out, instructs people, has the control box, etc, but this is only a once a year thing. No season-round beacon basin.

However, if you were to go to the patrol headquarters at the top of the mountain, a patroller could probably bury a couple of beacons for you. I do it all the time, but still I wish we could get a real, permanent beacon practice field.

[Arty50]

Hmmm...I should email BCA and have them help out the folks at Kirkwood. The course could use improvement. The beacons are buried at ground level which is fairly deep after all this snow. This also means that the probe targets are completely useless. Still, it's nice to have.

Edit: The course is free and is located next to Monte Wolf's Cafe. The control box is under the stairs. No lift ticket required.

[The Suit]

There's one on Teton Pass, in addition to the one at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. I think it's on Phillips Ridge, but I'm not sure.

[Lurch]

There are a couple things I have not been able to figure out after reading the details on BCAs website.

Is the beacon basin at the base of the ski area or do you need a lift ticket to get up to it? Do I just walk up to the basin and start using it or do I need to reserve it?

[The Suit]

Is the beacon basin at the base of the ski area or do you need a lift ticket to get up to it? Do I just walk up to the basin and start using it or do I need to reserve it?The one at Jackson Hole is at the base of Rendezvous Bowl - one tram ride, or a gondola and two chairs. Definitely a lift ticket. No reservations.

[LaramieSkiBum]

There are a couple things I have not been able to figure out after reading the details on BCAs website.

Is the beacon basin at the base of the ski area or do you need a lift ticket to get up to it? Do I just walk up to the basin and start using it or do I need to reserve it?

Snowbirds is just off the road too, but that wouldn't apply to you in colorado i suppose. Same with the sledhead one in the unitahs, again in utah...

updated the list at the top of the thread per your input guys, thanks! I had herd of the Teton Pass one but wasn't totaly sure about it, couldn't find anything on the net except some blurbs.

[Below Zero]

Good thread - thanks for posting. I will be hitting the Breck Beacon Basin this year a few times to practice.

[char]

The one at Stevens, when it is there, is accesible from the base area. No ticket required.

[LaramieSkiBum]

The one at Stevens, when it is there, is accesible from the base area. No ticket required.

noted in the first post now, thanks!

[LaramieSkiBum]

bump for spring. Also are any closed down for lack of snow or too much?

[Below Zero]

FYI - I could not find the one at Breck. I don't think it exists.

Also there is one at Vail at the top of the Sundown bowl lift.

[LaramieSkiBum]

top post updated

[ak_telemike]

We are going to be putting something together at Eaglecrest - Juneau, AK. The Juneau Ski Patrol (NSP) is going to buy a practice transmitter set-up for next season.

[SheRa]

FYI - I could not find the one at Breck. I don't think it exists.

Also there is one at Vail at the top of the Sundown bowl lift.

It does exist at Breck - I know somebody that's been using it.

I think they took out the one at Loveland though.

Great thread...

[Below Zero]

It does exist at Breck - I know somebody that's been using it.

I think they took out the one at Loveland though.

Great thread...

Where is it, Mir? The article says it is at the top of the Colorado Superchair, but I could not find it. Is it at that location?

[SheRa]

Where is it, Mir? The article says it is at the top of the Colorado Superchair, but I could not find it. Is it at that location?

http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6438&highlight=

[nesta]

You can add Fernie B.C. to the list. The beacon basin ran from Jan to Apr 05 and is located skiers' right on Giggly Gully run.

[LaramieSkiBum]

bump. Should have enough snow for these soon, post your updates here and I'll update the first post

[upallnight]

RE: Teton Pass basin...
The other night (12/8), Rod Newcomb mentioned that only 8 of the 10 beacons are working...so if you're searching for 10, you won't find 'em.

-e

[Hacksaw]

I was told the one at Loveland was never setup because of lack of snow?


What? who told you that one? :confused:

[nesta]

The beacon basin at Fernie Alpine Resort has not been put in yet this season and will likely not be on Giggly Gully. We will be putting it in soon, location to be determined. I will keep you posted on where it ends up.

[LaramieSkiBum]

thanks all, updated 1st post

[nesta]

The beacon basin at Fernie Alpine Resort will be operational as of tomorrow, skier's left of Heartland above the Timber weather study plot.
Referring to the Tips we noticed one thing you have to watch for when locating your probe targets above the beacons, and that's snow creep. This year we have made our targets to resemble a mortarboard made of plywood and strapped the beacons to the underside so that the beacons will go where the target does.

[seatosky]

Rumor has it there will be beacon basins operating on both Whistler and Blackcomb at some point during this season.

[LaramieSkiBum]

snowbirds basin is now open according to UAC


It’s sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.

[powslut]

Not too sure about this winter but in the past there has been a BCA sponsored beacon basin at Mt Norquay just outside of banff.

[rideit]

or at least a transmitting beacon for patrol to practice with.
ask a ski patroller, they can tell you the general area.

[shmoesmith]

As of right now there is no beacon park at The Canyons ski resort in Utah. I talked to them about it 2 days ago(when I wanted to go use it) and they said that the effort last year at the canyons and snowbird was paid for with tax payer dollars. They said that those dollars were significantly cut and that it is underfunded this year and that they likely wont have a beacon park at all this year and that Snowbird will probably be the only resort in utah with one unless a non-profit org wants to step up and provide the funding or resources to do it.

[LaramieSkiBum]

soooo beyond purchasing the equipment (already done? right?!?), and setup, what the hell other costs are there? It's bring your own batteries...

wtf? Is this something we could pickup? if there is a demonstrated need? Can't be that fucking hard, bury the transmitters and such, hang a sign, put up some boundry markers?

[SherpaStyle]

Beacon Basin at JHMR is up and running....Just in time for beacon drills with the groms today. Too bad its gonna snow too much to take them OB tomorrow. :wink:

[rossibandit]

Well, I checked out the Beacon basin at Fernie the other day. Its pretty easy to operate. Best advice is to check in at the Timber Patrol hut at the top of the White Pass Chair is see if the tackle box (control box) and batteries are at the basin. The Basin is located just above the snow plot on Heartland which is just above the 100 % cat track. When using the basin its also a good idea to go turn on the basin and select a problem and then go back up the White Pass chair and start your search as the control box is at the bottom of the search area. This basin also has alot of snow, so if you go off your skis expect to skin down to your waist in snow. This allows a person to really try out there probing skills as the beacons will be at least under a meter of snow. I find that the beacon basin is great for practicing as its harder than just practicing in the back yard or parking lot. One has pin point the beacons, probe, strike and then dig thur a considerable amount of snow to find the plywood that the beacons are located underneath.

Here is a picture of the control box and plywood cover box for the beacon basin at Fernie

http://www.biglines.com/photos/normal/biglines_49825.jpg

[Squirrel99]

^^^

Crystal Mountain, WA
Hone your transceiver skills with our new Easy Searcher Practice system. Located at the Campbell Basin Lodge, the Easy Searcher has multiple "victims" and three levels of difficulty. The system is free and always open. Check with ski patrol for questions.

Other sites:
Alpental - not operational yet
Stevens - no update on status

[PNWbrit]

^^^

Crystal Mountain, WA
Hone your transceiver skills with our new Easy Searcher Practice system. Located at the Campbell Basin Lodge, the Easy Searcher has multiple "victims" and three levels of difficulty. The system is free and always open. Check with ski patrol for questions.

Other sites:
Alpental - not operational yet
Stevens - no update on status

BCA are going to have the practice array at Alpental set up within the next week or so.

[snoboy]

Red Resort (http://www.redresort.com) now has one operational. It is located about 100m from the base area and is accessible on foot. Drop in at the dispatch office at the base to pick up the control box.

Thanks to Backcountry Access (http://www.bcaccess.com/index.php), Couloir Magazine (http://www.couloirmag.com), Red Resort (http://www.redresort.com) and Rossland & District SAR (http://rosslandsar.blogspot.com).

[Squirrel99]

BCA are going to have the practice array at Alpental set up within the next week or so.

Alpental should be up & running now. Patrol mentioned it was to go active as of Wednesday. The location was to far skier's right boundary line near the lodge/quad or possibly near the Snow Lake trailhead. I'll find out this weekend and update.

[LaramieSkiBum]

thanks for the updates. Sweet post rossi, somehow I missed those last month.

post #1 updated. Whistler / blackcomb beacon basins up? How about colorado?

[LaramieSkiBum]

Bizzzzup for 06-07. Get out there and practice! Maybe this should be a Sticky in slide zone?

[hutash]

Need to update the list. Mammoth now has two areas, assuming it ever snows. We will have on at Gus' meadow by main lodge, and one at the visitors center as you enter town.

[korup]

bumpity-bump-bump!
Any current info on Alpy, Stevens, or Crustal?

[DrFlask]

bumpity-bump-bump!
Any current info on Alpy, Stevens, or Crustal?

Not the ones you mention, but Baker has one set up as well. It should be over on chair 7, and I remember reading its around the third lift tower, but I can't find where I read that to back me up. They have signs around at the Fish for it though...

[PNWbrit]

bumpity-bump-bump!
Any current info on Alpy, Stevens, or Crustal?

Crystal is up and running by Campbell Basin Lodge.

[mtbakerskier]

The Baker Basin is up and running. Its located lookers right of chair 7 in the woods above the lower terminal.

[VC]

Anyone have any idea about the squaw one? Location? Is it up and running?

[Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo]

I just heard the other day that Aspen Mtn has one open behind the gondola near the gates to Richmond Ridge. Haven't been up there yet so I'm not sure of the exact location. And Mountain Rescue also has free beacon practice in Rio Grande Park every 1st Tuesday and last Thursday of the month at 6:00pm

[cmor]

Crystal is up and running by Campbell Basin Lodge.

Patrol spends a lot of time and money on the easy searcher, it works very well, go try it

[Hacksaw]

Loveland's Beacon Basin is up and running. Ask the pro patrol for directions to it. Beacon Basins are ok for simple practices.

IMHO, multi-Nerfball is a better exercise in beacon practtices.....

Halsted

[skifree]

Sunshine Village, AB

They've had one for a few years now

[mtaylor]

Not too sure about this winter but in the past there has been a BCA sponsored beacon basin at Mt Norquay just outside of banff.

norquay is in banff...

[skifishbum]

Solitude finally got their shit togather and the beacon park is now functional.
Lower lot by Eagle express.

[leroy jenkins]

Don't know if someone allready said this but there is one on top of Aspen Mt, just outside the richmond ridge gate.

[pechelman]

ive heard rumor that copper has one
maybe somewhere between the flyer and timberline?
possibly just uphill from trex in that gladed area?

going to talk to patrol tomorrow if I get a chance

[connersw]

The one on Mt Hood is up and running near the Mazamas Lodge. I haven't tried it out myself yet, but I plan on doing so this weekend. I emailed Mazamas, and they confirmed it was up and running. They also sent me a PP slide show w/ info & maps (it's BYOB). If anyone in OR is interested, shoot me a PM, and I can forward you the email.

[JTrue]

Rescue training area at Snowbasin in Utah as well. Only had two beacons buried last time I went, although they probably have more after the snow.

[pechelman]

ive heard rumor that copper has one
maybe somewhere between the flyer and timberline?
possibly just uphill from trex in that gladed area?

going to talk to patrol tomorrow if I get a chance

Confirmed.
Copper has a beacon basin.

It is located near the Timberline patrol shack between the Flyer\Timberline lifts. Just knock on the patrol door for them to turn it on if its not already.
Didnt get a chance to try it out though. Will report back when I do.

[travis]

Now one at Heavenly - top of Gondola. New enough that not many patrollers know about it, so keep asking.

[hutash]

Got the announcement from Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center that both beacon parks at Mammoth are now open. One at Gus's pasture near main lodge, and the other at the visitors center in town.

[Yeti]

Parc national de la Gaspesie south of Ste-Anne-des-Monts Quebec has an 8-beacon basin. Check in with park headquarters to get the control box; take it out to the basin, plug it in, and test your skills. You have to love Quebecois hospitality: they don't ask for ID, deposit, or anything. You show up, and say you want to practice; they hand over the keys, no questions asked.

[TyeStick]

Stevens Pass Beacon Area is up and Running


In partnership with Backcountry Access, Stevens Pass Resort is pleased to offer Beacon Basin, a state-of-the-art avalanche transceiver training site that features 6 permanently buried transmitters wired to a central control panel. BCA Beacon Basin is a training system created to make it easier for recreationalists and pros to practice with their transceivers. To change the scenario, just flick the on/off switches on the "control panel" (checked out from the Patrol office). It's especially useful for practicing multiple and deep burials, which usually require the most work. Users can control the number of transmitters that are activated. Beacon Basin is located near the yurt on riders left, of I-5 and is available for use by guests every day, free of charge (guests must have their own transceivers). Just stop by the Patrol office (basement level of the Granite Peaks Lodge) to check out the control box. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

[MrZach]

Winter park/Mary Jane now has a beacon practice area:
http://tinyurl.com/2sbjza

[pechelman]

Confirmed.
Copper has a beacon basin.

It is located near the Timberline patrol shack between the Flyer\Timberline lifts. Just knock on the patrol door for them to turn it on if its not already.
Didnt get a chance to try it out though. Will report back when I do.

got soem prac in this weekend while waiting for the snow to soften up.
really nice setup.

theres a red control box you can flip switches to different configurations.
theyre labled kinda weird, and Id just prefer that each switch be a different beacon. Instead, each switch corresponds to a "difficulty level", so beginner (1), beginner int (2), beginner adv (3) etc etc. Not really sure what the advanced advanced switch did. Maybe it turned on all the beacons?

They got some probes by the box too.

When I was probing I was trying to find something soft and spongy, but I guess I should have read the instructions more closely and read that they were in wood boxes.

Anyway, its there, its running, and its really nice.

[Neezer]

so I dug this thread up....any word on if the one's at jhmr or teton pass are still up and running?

[nateski]

bs/ mlb have one

[chocolatecoveredbacon]

so I dug this thread up....any word on if the one's at jhmr or teton pass are still up and running?


jhmr has one right off rendezvous bowl...i think it's a pretty poor setup, but it's worth playing around in for a few minutes. haven't been to the one up in the pass recently, but as far as i know, it's up and running still.

[Alex.C]

Sunshine Village, AB

They've had one for a few years now

For clarification for the list its next to the base of the Divide Lift.

[Zee]

Revelstoke has a beacon/probe practice area at the top of the Gondola.

[wiseguy]

White Pass WA now has a beacon/probe practice area at the summit. Just ask at patrol dispatch for directions.

[telemike]

been a few years since I started working on getting one, but I see that Eaglecrest in Juneau, AK has got a beacon training park this season

props to Brian and Juneau Ski Patrol

[pisteoff]

Since this thread has been bumped from the depths, I'll add that Baker's beacon practice area has been moved to behind the A Frame (patrol shack/mountain education center) at Heather Meadows.

[Monarch]

We added one this season...bottom of Pano.

[Crampedon]

I road tripped to Telluride a few weeks ago and saw a sign and practice area mid mountain, on the way towards the prospect lift. Saw no footprints or signs of use but a large sign and gate. Every patroler I saw had a shovel too, looks very steep and slidy there...

[stuckathuntermtn]

bs/ mlb have one

Yeah, Big Sky / Moonlight Basin has one. I think it's about between Challenger and Iron Horse chairs. I have no idea if it's up and running as I'm not usually over there, and it looks kinda deserted.

[Zee]

There is a practice area at the base of Stairway to Heaven chair at Kicking Horse.

[PappaG]

The place marked by the square in the picture below is a great area for beacon practice at Berthoud Pass. It's a several-minute hike in from the road with tons of space to do single and multiple searches.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6339/bpbeacon.jpg

[JayTurcot]

2009/2010 beacon basin info is up here:
http://www.backcountryaccess.com/english/education/trainingpark.php

Any idea when these usually get set up? (in generally and specific to Whistler, BC)

[Red Peekay]

Red Resort (http://www.redresort.com) now has one operational. It is located about 100m from the base area and is accessible on foot. Drop in at the dispatch office at the base to pick up the control box.

This one has been moved from next to Silver Load chair to further up the hill. Its probably a 300m walk up or you can ski down from the top of silver load. Not operational as of yet, (only day 2 of operation for this season) however once we get a good base at the lower mtn should be up and running.

[MakersTeleMark]

FYI, Vail's basin will be moving this year from the top of 5 to somewhere by 2 elk. No idea on timing.

[RambleOn]

Doesn't Alyeska have one?

[teletalley]

Lost Trail Powder Mtn is planning to have a Beacon Practice Area, the area has just opened up. Details to come soon. Montana-Idaho border U.S. 93

This information is from (12-18-09) at the Missoula Avalanche Org site.


Transceiver Park Information

There are now 3 Beacon Basin avalanche transceiver parks in operation in
western Montana. They are located at Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Lolo
Pass Visitor Center and Montana Snowbowl. All 3 will be available for use
for the entire season during operating hours at the ski areas and Lolo
Pass Visitor Center. The Beacon Basin at Montana Snowbowl requires
purchase of a lift ticket to access the site that is located at the
backcountry access point to Point Six.


The northern rocky mts are holding a 1ft-1.5ft layer of facets that is waiting for a trigger (natural or human-caused) to set it free. Never trust any facets. Its a little spooky out there.



link to Missoula Avalanche Org :http://www.missoulaavalanche.org/beacon_training.php

[snoboy]

Actually waiting on enough snow, and repair to two of the units...

Will be in the same (new) location this year.



This one has been moved from next to Silver Load chair to further up the hill. Its probably a 300m walk up or you can ski down from the top of silver load. Not operational as of yet, (only day 2 of operation for this season) however once we get a good base at the lower mtn should be up and running.

[Brizatow]

Verbier - Just above the bottom of the jumbo, you access from the bottom of the pitch and the whole area is roped off and pretty visible. Not up and running yet this season, but with the recent dumps should be ok soon! Last season a few of the beacons stopped working but I think they've fixed that now

[teletalley]

Lost Trail Powder Mtn beacon park is at the top of Chair 3 (about 150 yds uphill to the south). Stop by the Patrol Shack at the lodge and sign out the control box (be prepared to leave your I.D.) You'll be able to do single or multi beacon searchs. 4 is the max available this season.

[powdork]

for the past several years kirkwoods has been at the top of chair 2 rather than the village location.

[Lawless]

Anyone know when if/when the beacon/basin's will be set up at JHMR or on the pass this year? Got a shiny, new S1 coming today that I'd like to get out and fool around with.

[DasBlunt]

I heard Loveland will be not having their Beacon Basin this year.

[PhiberAwptik]

Mt Hood

Mazamas Lodge beacon basin is up and running

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/761326#Post761326

[Socialist]

I asked a patroller at Whistler last weekend, she said they don't have a beacon park and haven't had one in a long time.

[SgtSkidmark]

Mt Hood

Mazamas Lodge beacon basin is up and running

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/761326#Post761326

Do you know that it's up and running this year (that link was last updated a year ago)?

[PhiberAwptik]

Do you know that it's up and running this year (that link was last updated a year ago)?

I linked that forum from another forum because it has details posted in it. I did fuck up on the date though. I might call the lodge tomorrow.

[Hacksaw]

I heard Loveland will be not having their Beacon Basin this year.

No, you're wrong, The Loveland BB is located at the top of lift #6. There is a black post out behind the lift shack propane tank that is the control box for the BB. I'll be VERY interested to see how many patollers and public actually use the BB. Sadly, I really don't think any folks will use it. I'd love to see folks check in here each time they use it...

[Hacksaw]

.... with tons of space to do single and multiple searches.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6339/bpbeacon.jpg

That is a hell of an understatement...:rolleyes:

That is a major AIARE teaching spot... :wink:

[DasBlunt]

No, you're wrong, The Loveland BB is located at the top of lift #6. There is a black post out behind the lift shack propane tank that is the control box for the BB. I'll be VERY interested to see how many patollers and public actually use the BB. Sadly, I really don't think any folks will use it. I'd love to see folks check in here each time they use it...

Glad to be wrong about that. Someone who worked for them told me that info at the start of the season.

it is up where the lifties take a piss too....hmmm.
i will check it out tomorrow. I have done a few practice sessions with my half broken practice beacon, so I want to see how I do with multiples.

[SgtSkidmark]

I linked that forum from another forum because it has details posted in it. I did fuck up on the date though. I might call the lodge tomorrow.

Do post if they're operational. I might stop by this weekend.

[Shredhead]

Aspen1234

[hawkgt]

Glad to be wrong about that. Someone who worked for them told me that info at the start of the season.

it is up where the lifties take a piss too....hmmm.
i will check it out tomorrow. I have done a few practice sessions with my half broken practice beacon, so I want to see how I do with multiples.

Das - you check it out?

I was not aware of BB at loveland and glad to hear this. Will check it out myself. If anyone is interested in getting a little practice in, let me know.

[Hacksaw]

There are also three Ortovox transceiver practice areas in Colorado. They are at Crested Butte, Teluride and Aspen Highlands. You just need to ask the ski patrol fro their locations.

The Ortovox transceiver training system is a remote system. It doesn't not have hardwires to link it to the control unit. The great thing about this is that because it is a "remote" system, it doesn't build up a electrical charge in the hardwires. When that happens the wires act like long transmitting antennas. The major clue that this is happening is that you find yourself walking in a strait line when you're following your directional indicators on the transceiver.

[Crampedon]

I talked to a 'troller at Vail the other day, the beacon park is down for the season. Claims a groomer flattened it, but the rope, box and sign are still up. Hmmm... said BCA is setting them up for next year. Beav Patrol has been very pro-active and will set up anyone that wants to practice, even had a contest two weeks ago.

[telebobski]

Mt Hood Mazamas Lodge beacon basin is up and running

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/761326#Post761326

I went by their lodge in Govy Wednesday - if a beacon basin is there, I couldn't find it. I checked with a buddy in Mazamas, who also checked with a couple of his compatriots, and they aren't aware of it either. So, I have an email into Mazamas to see what the score might be.

I also got a response from Brandon Backman, Patrol Manager at MHM, to a suggestion I made on their site in December to put in a beacon basin. He tells me that a beacon park is on the resort's list of improvements, but hasn't yet made the cut. Probably doesn't help that most of the basins are put in by BCA and MHM patrol uses Pieps.

I'm lobbying him to hold some training sessions and competitions until such time as resort management decides that a beacon park is a good idea. Will see what happens

[Session]

I went by their lodge in Govy Wednesday - if a beacon basin is there, I couldn't find it. I checked with a buddy in Mazamas, who also checked with a couple of his compatriots, and they aren't aware of it either. So, I have an email into Mazamas to see what the score might be.

I also got a response from Brandon Backman, Patrol Manager at MHM, to a suggestion I made on their site in December to put in a beacon basin. He tells me that a beacon park is on the resort's list of improvements, but hasn't yet made the cut. Probably doesn't help that most of the basins are put in by BCA and MHM patrol uses Pieps.

I'm lobbying him to hold some training sessions and competitions until such time as resort management decides that a beacon park is a good idea. Will see what happens

I have been busy as shit so flaked on calling Mazamas about their basin.

I don't see why they wouldn't want to do a beacon park. Especially since a lot of their terrain suggests or require beacon/probe/shovel. But it's Meadows.

[telebobski]

^^^ I wouldn't be so hard on them. An excerpt from the reply I got from Brandon yesterday about putting in a training area...

"Your suggestion is not just a good one, it's one that we are currently working on. We've been wanting to implement a beacon basin for a few years now. Unfortunately it's not as easy as it may seem.

First off, these systems are extremely expensive to purchase. One also has to factor in the cost of implementation and upkeep. It takes a lot of man hours and Cat time to keep a basin dug out during a Pacific Northwest winter! Yes, BCA will come and help ya work out the bugs when you pull it out of the boxes, but that's about it.

Basin will be soon. :)

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail or call."

I can understand their position. There is always competition for improvement projects in any business, and backcountry/slackcountry isn't high on the agenda of most resort visitors. I bet half the people on the Heather chair don't know what a beacon is for.

Let's see how Brandon responds to the idea of periodic training sessions and competitions. Large turnouts for these would be a good way to demonstrate that there is a lot of interest in safe use in the Heather/Clarks/PR areas. A 'troller I talked with a couple of weeks ago said they do practice sessions for groups by appointment.

[shafty85]

Baker's is open - though it was down on Sunday when I was out there taking their course. They thought too much snow had bejiggered their wiring (we had to dig 2ft just to get at their box). Oh, the agony - too much snow :biggrin:

[reynolds.trailrun]

The Alpental Beacon Basin is back up after a few years down. Went through a few scenarios with good results.