Re: Avalanche cords

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Years ago when I was doing more backcountry skiing in areas with some aval danger I used an avalanche cord (50 feet of red 1/2" nylon cord) tied to my belt dragging behind me when crossing areas of risk. I never read anything about their value then and haven't seen nor heard about their use since. Does anyone know if they offer much value? I can't imagine that the boarders and others are all out their buying $300 transceivers. Short of a transceiver or an avalung, are cords worth anything?

Karl-
An avalanche cords works! You pull it behind, deployed only when you need it. You can't pull it out of your pocket in a wad as you start to avalanche away. It will stay in a wad of cord and markers. (The markers show the direction to the entombed person). The red cord is designed to "float" to the top.

That being said, unless you are willing to risk death for a ride (as many are today) avalnche avoidance is the way to go. The red cord and today's expensive gadgets may provide just the excuse a group needs to just do it.

This psychology is recognised in several articles. Read about Avalanche Avoidance and the added risk of using expensive gadgets and gear (sorry, sales folk) at http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/Faq_Avalanches.htm
--Trad_Guy