In your opinion...

[BC Skier]

do you feel I acted recklessly and put myself in harms ways during my trip entitled "A Bluebird Day in the Gulf of Slides"?

I posted the trip report in www.couloirmag.com discussion forum. I have recieved a mix of both possitive and negative feedback. I have not received criticism from readers of this site or www.timefortuckerman.com.

Most of the criticism seems to be around the fact that I could not perform a jump turn. I didn't realize that was a requirement to be a backcountry skier. Afterall, I was skiing a 30 - 35 degree slope. It was hardly necessary.

For those of you who are experienced backcountry skiers whats your opinion. I don't mind criticism, as I am sure I might learn from different perspectives.

I'm trying to determine if those that criticize are just a bunch of elitists who want to keep the backcountry to a small group of experts. I made it clear in my report that I not an expert. I hope I opened up the possibily to other novice backcountry skiers to venture out and try it once they have some basic knowledge and can assess the risks as I have.

 

[riverc0il]

BC Skier,

i actually did not read your post (sorry, it was quite long and detailed and i'm not into back country), however i will offer the following comments:

while i'm not a backcountry skier and don't know how important a 'jump turn' is in that style of skiing, i can imagine that a wide variety of people of all skills and abilities are involved in backcountry skiing. also, those people must have started out in backcountry at one point probably not knowing skills they know now.

that being said, unless a particular skill is absolutely required to handle certain terrain, i can't imagine why any one would comment on it. hell, even if the had a legitimate point, a personal attack is never warrented.

for example, if a poster said they could only perform a wedge turn and said they skied the Front Face of cannon all day, i could understand a response that they obtain further training and avoid expert terrain for fear they might hurt themselves. again however, a personal attack is never warrented.

unfortunately, a problem with the internet is people can hide behind their computers and flame away... perhaps just to have a laugh, but i believe it's more they simply don't consider the fact that they are insulting other human beings, not just being a witty smart ass.

in any case, from what i understand of backcountry, the most important aspects are having the proper safety gear and training, understanding the terrain and conditions, skiing in groups, and knowing how not to get in over your head (and of course always leaving yourself an out). i guess these principles hold up for most outdoor sports, even alpine skiing. as long as you are not in danger of causing injury to yourself or others, who cares if you don't have the best technique in the world? we all start somewhere.

you noted that you did not receive any critisim on TFT (a great BB by the way). maybe it was just the difference in community of the forums? regards