{"id":1867388,"date":"2026-04-05T19:46:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T16:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1867388"},"modified":"2026-04-05T19:46:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T16:46:02","slug":"lessons-i-learned-in-the-backcountry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1867388","title":{"rendered":"Lessons I Learned in the Backcountry"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_112805\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-112805\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-112805 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAArwAAAGKAQMAAADUvwAtAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADhJREFUeNrtwQEBAAAAgiD\/r25IQAEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA\/Boj6AAGxkNIAAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-2-700x394.jpg?resize=640%2C360\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-2.jpg?resize=700%2C394&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-2.jpg?resize=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-2.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-2.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-2.jpg?w=1710&amp;ssl=1 1710w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-2.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"700\" data-eio-rheight=\"394\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-112805\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-2-700x394.jpg?resize=640%2C360\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-112805\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Transitioning for a long descent. | Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pacocubo10\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BP<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-2-23353688\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-2-23353688\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0nY29kZS1ibG9jayBjb2RlLWJsb2NrLTInIHN0eWxlPSdtYXJnaW46IDhweCBhdXRvOyB0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7IGRpc3BsYXk6IGJsb2NrOyBjbGVhcjogYm90aDsnPgo8ZGl2IGlkPSJsZC0zMzMwLTk0NzciPjwvZGl2PjxzY3JpcHQ+KGZ1bmN0aW9uKHcsZCxzLGkpe3cubGRBZEluaXQ9dy5sZEFkSW5pdHx8W107dy5sZEFkSW5pdC5wdXNoKHtzbG90OjIwMzM3NjE3MjU0OTAyMTcyLHNpemU6WzAsIDBdLGlkOiJsZC0zMzMwLTk0NzcifSk7aWYoIWQuZ2V0RWxlbWVudEJ5SWQoaSkpe3ZhciBqPWQuY3JlYXRlRWxlbWVudChzKSxwPWQuZ2V0RWxlbWVudHNCeVRhZ05hbWUocylbMF07ai5hc3luYz10cnVlO2ouc3JjPSJodHRwczovL2NkbjIuZGVjaWRlLmRldi9fanMvYWpzLmpzIjtqLmlkPWk7cC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLHApO319KSh3aW5kb3csZG9jdW1lbnQsInNjcmlwdCIsImxkLWFqcyIpOzwvc2NyaXB0PjwvZGl2Pgo=\" data-block=\"2\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-1-65126420\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-1-65126420\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"1\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>The following are some insights I\u2019ve gained while backcountry skiing.<\/strong> After writing a conditions report on the <a href=\"http:\/\/snowbrains.com\/conditions-report-skiing-a-colorado-classic-silver-couloir-on-buffalo-mountain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Silver Couloir<\/a>, Colorado, I was reminded of the first time I tried to ski it. I got horribly lost after dropping into the wrong line. The couloir we skied cliffed out with a 130-foot drop, and we ended up stranded on the mountain for nearly 11 hours. I hope this helps you avoid the same mistakes.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/ski-pole-straps-added-safety-feature-or-extra-risk\/\"><em><strong> Ski Pole Straps \u2013 Added Safety Feature or Extra Risk?<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><b>Have a Voice in the Group<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Our group was an all-star cast \u2014 the kind of people you\u2019d want to be with if things went sideways.<\/strong> I was skiing with people who worked in emergency medicine, all strong skiers, and I was easily the least experienced. In retrospect, I wish I had been more vocal about that, but I wanted to fit in.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Groupthink is real.<\/strong> It can create a false sense of security and reinforce narrow thinking. Don\u2019t be afraid to speak up or challenge decisions\u2014being a contrarian can add valuable perspective.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_112808\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-112808\" style=\"width: 525px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-112808 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAg0AAAK8AQMAAABWQB4HAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAERJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20PBxQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAvBrc0AAE3vpjfAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"525\" height=\"700\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-5-525x700.jpg?resize=525%2C700\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-5.jpg?resize=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1 525w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-5.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-5.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-5.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-5.jpg?w=1125&amp;ssl=1 1125w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"525\" data-eio-rheight=\"700\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-112808\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-5-525x700.jpg?resize=525%2C700\" alt width=\"525\" height=\"700\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-112808\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Skinning in a tight group. | Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/instagregoh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">instagregoh<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><strong><b>Take Your Time<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>At the summit, a dense cloud rolled in and caused a temporary whiteout.<\/strong> The forecast had called for intermittent snow showers, and if we had waited just 30 minutes, we likely would have seen our line clearly and chosen the correct descent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Patience matters.<\/strong> It can turn sheer ice into corn or a whiteout into a clear window. Take a moment and see how the weather develops before committing.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><strong><b>Don\u2019t Panic<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Once we realized we were off route and stuck, you could hear the tension in people\u2019s voices.<\/strong> Some early ideas came from fear rather than clear thinking. Fear leads to poor decision-making.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Slow down, take a step back, and think clearly.<\/strong> Staying calm is one of the most important skills you can have in the backcountry.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><strong><b>Think Through Scenarios<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>When I\u2019m traveling in the backcountry, I constantly play the \u201cif\u2013then\u201d game in my head: If this happens, then what\u2019s the plan?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Thinking through potential scenarios ahead of time helps you react more effectively when things don\u2019t go as planned.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/backcountry-layering-be-aware-know-what-to-wear\/\"><em>Backcountry LayeringL Be Aware &amp; Know What to Wear<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_335998\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-335998\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-335998 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAFPAQMAAADnVe2cAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADFJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20Gf6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADgMaf8AAZ7pIxwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt=\"skier going uphill on snowy slope with red backpack\" width=\"640\" height=\"335\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/kev-3.png?resize=640%2C335&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/kev-3.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/kev-3.png?resize=300%2C157&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/kev-3.png?resize=768%2C402&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/kev-3.png?resize=600%2C314&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"335\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-335998\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/kev-3.png?resize=640%2C335&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"skier going uphill on snowy slope with red backpack\" width=\"640\" height=\"335\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-335998\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Be safe out there, and think through scenarios. | Credit: SnowBrains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-3-51203540\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-3-51203540\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"3\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><strong><b>Stay Together<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>On the skin track, our group spread out to about 100\u2013200 yards, and with the wind picking up, we were out of earshot.<\/strong> At one point, I felt a deep vibration followed by a loud \u201cwhumph\u201d as the snowpack settled beneath me. If a slide had released, no one would have seen or heard it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Spacing happens, but it needs to be managed.<\/strong> Rotate the lead, keep communication tight, and avoid having anyone too far ahead or behind. Staying together can make all the difference when something goes wrong.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_112804\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-112804\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-112804 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAArwAAAGKAQMAAADUvwAtAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADhJREFUeNrtwQEBAAAAgiD\/r25IQAEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA\/Boj6AAGxkNIAAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-1-700x394.jpg?resize=640%2C360\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-1.jpg?resize=700%2C394&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-1.jpg?resize=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-1.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-1.jpg?w=1710&amp;ssl=1 1710w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-1.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"700\" data-eio-rheight=\"394\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-112804\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/unnamed-1-700x394.jpg?resize=640%2C360\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-112804\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Skinning up towards the summit. | Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pacocubo10\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BP<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Transitioning for a long descent. | Credit: BP The following are some insights I\u2019ve gained while backcountry skiing. After writing a conditions report on the Silver Couloir, Colorado, I was reminded of the first time I tried to ski it. I got horribly lost after dropping into the wrong line. The couloir we skied cliffed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1867388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1867388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1867388"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1867388\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1867388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1867388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1867388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}