“In the heart of the 2022/23 winter season, one of the biggest snow seasons on record, Wyoming’s Teton County Search & Rescue experienced five rescues in five days. Why? Lack of knowledge? Heuristic traps? Social media creating false confidence? Sheer bad luck?”
Ski touring and split boarding were both among the top 10 fastest growing sports in America from 2018 to 2022. While we love seeing more and more people getting after it, the increase in backcountry almost certainly means an increase in life-threatening incidents in the backcountry.
If you need a reminder as to why it’s important to stay aware and prepared in the backcountry, Teton Gravity Research put together this film, Backcountry Responsibly. This doesn’t just apply to skiers and snowboarders, either. Snowmobilers will absolutely be able to take something out of this short digital film.
“In partnership with Friends of Bridger-Teton, TGR presents Backcountry Responsibly, a digital film targeted at the growing number of winter backcountry users whose impact on the surrounding public lands has increased dramatically in recent years.“
If you’re new to the backcountry, stick with people who know the terrain and conditions, and people who you trust. Take some avalanche courses, learn how to perform a rescue if (God forbid) it becomes necessary, and make sure to bring the right safety gear. This means at least a beacon, shovel, and probe.
Traveling with others will always be the best and safest option. You can repeat “no friends on a powder day” as much as you want when you’re riding lifts, but moving in the backcountry means and increase in risk with less traffic. Do so with a friend, you’ll have more fun anyways.
We’re very grateful for groups like TGR for putting these kinds of videos together.
Image Credit: Teton Gravity Research via YouTube