Great points indeed. I'm new to mountains and it is so much different than flat riding.....but sooo much fun. Your points on who you ride with and the question of 'can you trust them' to know what they are doing is bang on. I figure if I go do avy training and buy the best equipment to find...
I look at this as an opportunity. Like my Jeep. If it breaks, I replace broken parts with those that are better! I'm not as good as a rider as you hounds, but sooner or later something will bust for me I'm sure. Further, if I read on here repeatedly that something breaks - then I pre-empt...
Zipped to cataract creek and practiced turning. Fresh snow! Not tons, but great considering where we went.
YouTube - 1st Time on RMK800 Learning To Turn.wmv
and to mountain sledding - Polarice recommends Atlas staging, so that's where me and a buddy are headed for our first run. My other two buddies familiar with the area can't make it. I've got avy training + beacons + probes and the whole kabootle as does my friend......plan to stick to the...