A coalition of avalanche safety, nonprofit and winter back-country organizations have established Dec. 14 to 18 as the Tahoe-Truckee region’s first back-country safety awareness week. The unique collaboration is an effort to amplify back-country safety and avalanche education opportunities and encourage people to know what they’re getting into before they venture out unprepared.
After ski resorts closed last spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, back-country touring exploded in Tahoe and across the nation. This season, back-country gear sales and avalanche course registration suggest there will be an increase in back-country recreation this winter, with some being first-timers. Organizers of Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week want attendees to come away with a better understanding of how dangerous the back country can be and why training is imperative before accessing unpatrolled, uncontrolled terrain.
“The Tahoe Sierra back country is just as dangerous as it is appealing,” said Tahoe Backcountry Alliance executive director Greg Garrison in a press release. “Reducing risk in the back country is critical not just for your safety, but for the safety of others who are put at risk when you make a mistake.”
A week-long educational video series will lead up to a live, virtual panel on Dec. 17 from 7 to 8 p.m. composed of local professional athletes Cody Townsend, Jeremy Jones, Elyse Saugstad and Amie Engerbretson who will provide learning opportunities and resources for the public to encourage proper training before heading into the back country. The panel will discuss their own experiences in the back country and answer questions from attendees. To register for this free event, visit takecaretahoe.org/backcountry.
“Back-country travelers need to recognize avalanche hazards and be prepared for self-rescue as outside help is unlikely to arrive in time,” says Sierra Avalanche Center director David Reichel. “Every time rescue personnel respond to calls in the back country, not only are they risking their own lives when they enter hazardous, sometimes avalanche-prone terrain, they also now risk contracting COVID-19 on any given rescue.”
The educational series will introduce attendees to topics including avalanche safety equipment, back-country etiquette, what training is needed, where to get trained and motorized back-country tips and safety. Local guides and outfitters will also have special offers available to attendees, such as coupon codes for AIARE course sign-ups and free airbag testing. Videos will be released each morning at 7 a.m. on takecaretahoe.org and will remain available for the duration of the winter. | takecaretahoe.org/backcountry
