Thread: Backcountry etiquette for JONGS

Last weekend while I was touring the Baker area, this telemark couple skied down an avy chute right on top of my partner and I. No offense to telehippies intended, I only mention that they were tele because these two looked like train wrecks and made me think of FreeHeelVegan, and her partner...

We had to traverse under this long ridge of avy chutes, most of which had slid recently, and most of the way, it was easy to stay out of reach of them, but towards the very end, we had to cross where if it did slide, it could maybe catch us to get to the mellower side to skin up and over the ridge.

My partner and I were spread out, to only expose one at a time, and the teleskiers were also spread out, the male on the steeper part of the slope skied right down on my partner (who was behind me) in the worst possible location.. The female, on the less steep part of the slope (and probably less likely to slide, if it even does slide, ever) skied down on me. She was making these horrible skiddy poddle turns, churning up a bunch of sluff with each turn, and obviously struggling. Even if the slope didn't slide, she looked likely to fall, and could have taken me out that way, too.

Since I am a backcountry JONG, too, this has me thinking... Them skiing down on us made me (and my partner) uncomfortable. The snow pack isn't/wasn't completely consolidated, and while I don't THINK it was unstable, isn't it a needless risk? Since they were going downhill, and we were going uphill, they popped out above us when we were already there. They could have traversed over so they weren't above us, or they could have waited.

We didn't say anything, and just continued on our way... but am I being ridiculous to still be thinking about this? It was a pretty warm day, not a cloud in the sky, and wet slides are unpredictable. On the other hand, we crossed under an avy chute that COULD slide... so if it DID slide, skier above us or not, I suppose it could be argued that we shouldn't have been there in the first place?

I imagine this sort of thing isn't all that uncommon... and being a backcountry JONG myself, I would rather NOT do something stupid that puts someone else at risk or even just irritates them... so discuss.. and what are some of the other bc etiquette rules, especially ones that they may not teach in avy 1..

I hardly ever run into other people when touring so it is not a big issue for me, but it happens. If you were both on top at the same time, it might be worth planning your ski together. You could ski it together, or maybe see if one group could wait until you are down. It is definitely bad etiquitte to knowingly ski down on top of others who are also skiing. I have skied down on people who are skinning or booting up after me and there was no way to know they were beneath me. In that case, tough shit, I was there first.

Isn't this how the biathlon event in the Winter Olympics conceived? Start tokin' a rifle, chickie.

just to clarify, we were going up and over the ridge from the bottom, and they were skiing down from the top... so no chance to verbally coordinate.

There is no way they didn't see us, though, unless they were just really unaware.. we saw them as soon as they came over the ridge.

Originally Posted by mtngirl79

?.. No offense to telehippies intended, I only mention that they were tele because these two looked like train wrecks and made me think of FreeHeelVegan, and her partner...

As a telemarker, I have to say that was cruel.

But those two were fuckheads.

+1 for the biathlon suggestion

maybe they were so totally consumed by their epic adventure that they were in the 'zone'.

really a bigger issue on loaded or accumulated days, unless there is prior communication your guess is as good as theirs.
...or do not climb an avy path once it begins to thaw if your not comfortable with springtime conditions.

it would have been ok to tell me your concerns,
bobby

These are always interesting...

If they could see you and dropped in anyway they are fuckwits

If you came up from below, beneath features that obstructed their view of you I'd recommend you get yer ass outta bed earlier and be the first to the top, or when in busy spots think about where people are coming down (or the line you want because it might be the one they want too) especially if you are going up the line you plan on skiing.

Here's the #1 b/c rule

I bet they were training for Alaska...

I've stopped caring what other people do in the BC. The only people I count on to do the right thing are my partners, because we communicate. If you're worried about it just wait on the side of the slope until they're out of your way, 'cause I doubt they're going to wait for you (you're way slower and they were there first).

When I see a freeheeler in motion I can't help put picture self flagellation or a bird trying to fly with broken wings. I respect that.

It wouldn't have been a long wait for them, because we weren't going up where they were going down, but just across the bottom to get to the mellower, safer side to go up, and we were actually there first (on our way back) just crossing when they came over and then down.

Mostly, I just don't want to be an asshole out there, and with these people, I am fairly certain that they were completely oblivious that its not a good idea to ski down on top of others if you can avoid it...

Thats basically what we did, though.. just quickly kept going, out of their path..

Is VDrondripper in Washington?

Originally Posted by mtngirl79

It wouldn't have been a long wait for them, because we weren't going up where they were going down, but just across the bottom to get to the mellower, safer side to go up, and we were actually there first (on our way back) just crossing when they came over and then down.

Mostly, I just don't want to be an asshole out there, and with these people, I am fairly certain that they were completely oblivious that its not a good idea to ski down on top of others if you can avoid it...

Thats basically what we did, though.. just quickly kept going, out of their path..

Not an easy answer to this, no one wants an ugly confrontation. If you think they were truly novices and don't know any better a very polite WTF might have been in order.

a polite what the fuck is perfect as an opening statement imo,
vdron dropping in to the flats could use some pointers.

dumping at higher elevations, possibly feet on the volcanoes.
mayuary powder

It is bad form to ski terrain in a way that could expose people ascending/skiing below to risk of moving snow.
If they saw you (it sounds like they did), they should have waited for you attain a position in terrain that wouldn't be effected by their descent, or picked another aspect.

OTOH, you are completely accountable for your own choices and actions in the BC, and you owe it to yourself to assume that anyone that is above you is going to do their best to hose you. In other words, make careful choices based upon what you know and see and don't count on other people to do the right thing.

As far as a polite comment, you'll have to feel that out with every situation. Some will take it graciously, others will use it as an excuse to shit on your day.

Originally Posted by AlpenChronicHabitual

It is bad form to ski terrain in a way that could expose people ascending/skiing below to risk of moving snow.
If they saw you (it sounds like they did), they should have waited for you attain a position in terrain that wouldn't be effected by their descent, or picked another aspect.

OTOH, you are completely accountable for your own choices and actions in the BC, and you owe it to yourself to assume that anyone that is above you is going to do their best to hose you. In other words, make careful choices based upon what you know and see and don't count on other people to do the right thing.

As far as a polite comment, you'll have to feel that out with every situation. Some will take it graciously, others will use it as an excuse to shit on your day.

Well put

Originally Posted by AlpenChronicHabitual

It is bad form to ski terrain in a way that could expose people ascending/skiing below to risk of moving snow.
If they saw you (it sounds like they did), they should have waited for you attain a position in terrain that wouldn't be effected by their descent, or picked another aspect.

OTOH, you are completely accountable for your own choices and actions in the BC, and you owe it to yourself to assume that anyone that is above you is going to do their best to hose you. In other words, make careful choices based upon what you know and see and don't count on other people to do the right thing.

As far as a polite comment, you'll have to feel that out with every situation. Some will take it graciously, others will use it as an excuse to shit on your day.

Agreed. You should say something. In all likelihood they had no idea what they were doing, and likely thought since it was spring the slope was safe. Telling them what they did wrong at the moment they do it will reinforce the lesson.

While good ethics are appreciated in the backcountry, it's the same on the highway. You are ultimately the one responsible for keeping yourself safe. You have to lookout for yourself and assume others will not repay the favor.

OTOH, you are completely accountable for your own choices and actions in the BC, and you owe it to yourself to assume that anyone that is above you is going to do their best to hose you.

Too long to a T-shirt.....


Damn shame..........

It would suck encountering teh douche in the backcountry. My best advice is to remain still, avoid eye contact, and then back away slowly. Sudden motions can spook the douche into setting sluffs of doom upon you.

Originally Posted by Schralper

Here's the #1 b/c rule

Do not bootpack
on the fucking skintrack.

Originally Posted by Schralper

Here's the #1 b/c rule

Where do i find this sticker?

Originally Posted by AlpenChronicHabitual

OTOH, you are completely accountable for your own choices and actions in the BC, and you owe it to yourself to assume that anyone that is above you is going to do their best to hose you. In other words, make careful choices based upon what you know and see and don't count on other people to do the right thing.

Assume the worst. Enjoy the best.

Originally Posted by Zeedashbo

Where do i find this sticker?

X2 I'd like to buy about 200 of them...