Comments for Oplopanax Horridus http://blog.oplopanax.ca A veteran SAR volunteer's experiences in British Columbia Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:25:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on How to NOT kill Yourself Snowshoeing by Michael Coyle http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/AZB0UorehUQ/ Michael Coyle Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:25:21 +0000 http://www.oplopanax.ca/blog/?p=71#comment-1483 Mark, you make some very good points. I value any criticism, and I think I understand the nuances of what your trying to say. Some people call this "niggling" or petty, but not me. It was not my intent to highlight the MSR snowshoes as especially bad, in fact I consider MSR to be the leader in snowshoe design. I purchased over 50 of them when I was the equipment chair for my SAR team, and I have a pair myself. I tried not to dwell on the performance or features of any particular brand; I only mentioned the MSR once, and included two pictures: one of the snowshoes themselves, the other of a person sidehilling with them on. My article was intended, as you rightly stated, to point out that modern snowshoes and the advertising that accompanies them give users the impression of capability and confidence and there are these two things (sidehill and downhill travel on steeper terrain) for which they are all astoundingly bad, and the primary cause of some deaths. Secondly I was trying to point out that even without snowshoes people regularly come to greif on steep snow; there was <a href="http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/02/backcountry-skier-dies-on-mount-seymour/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">at least one skier</a> who died last year of this. My recommendation was to learn the proper travel techniques for steep terrain if you're going to venture out. These include gear and travel skills that are time test and are hundreds of years old; crampons and ice axes. Based on the comments and other feedback I've received I'm confident that the primary message of this article is understood to be the general problem, and not a specific criticism of the one brand. Mark, you make some very good points. I value any criticism, and I think I understand the nuances of what your trying to say. Some people call this “niggling” or petty, but not me.

It was not my intent to highlight the MSR snowshoes as especially bad, in fact I consider MSR to be the leader in snowshoe design. I purchased over 50 of them when I was the equipment chair for my SAR team, and I have a pair myself. I tried not to dwell on the performance or features of any particular brand; I only mentioned the MSR once, and included two pictures: one of the snowshoes themselves, the other of a person sidehilling with them on.

My article was intended, as you rightly stated, to point out that modern snowshoes and the advertising that accompanies them give users the impression of capability and confidence and there are these two things (sidehill and downhill travel on steeper terrain) for which they are all astoundingly bad, and the primary cause of some deaths. Secondly I was trying to point out that even without snowshoes people regularly come to greif on steep snow; there was at least one skier who died last year of this.

My recommendation was to learn the proper travel techniques for steep terrain if you’re going to venture out. These include gear and travel skills that are time test and are hundreds of years old; crampons and ice axes.

Based on the comments and other feedback I’ve received I’m confident that the primary message of this article is understood to be the general problem, and not a specific criticism of the one brand.

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2010/11/how-to-not-kill-yourself-snowshoeing/#comment-1483 Comment on How to NOT kill Yourself Snowshoeing by Mark Johnson http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/fnun1zu6jR8/ Mark Johnson Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:44:52 +0000 http://www.oplopanax.ca/blog/?p=71#comment-1482 Michael, Thank you for the great articles for all the reasons expounded on by others. I was about to comment on an issue I had with one part of your previous article, but decided to read this article first, and glad I did. My criticism of the the previous article was only that you made a special point of highlighting that "modern gear" is part of the problem and then continue to spotlight the MSR Denali's as an example. In my opinion... and based on what I read here in 'this' article, you agree that MSR Denalis are among the best. If one were to read only the previous article you would come away at least partly thinking that it was these newfangled modern MSR Denali snowshoes that are to blame. While your point about how the wide platform alters how a foot can properly engage a steep traverse, I haven't seen better traction from any older style narrower snowshoe. Also you neglect to mention that the MSR snowshoes have two continuous rails with teeth that aid in gripping during a traverse... something that older style snowshoes lack. I have seen the MSR's constantly outperform older style snowshoes. Perhaps your argument should rather have been that the extra grip of the modern snowshoe like MSR's gives a feeling of confidence that isn't warranted on dangerous terrain. Sorry if my complaint here sounds petty, or if I sound like an MSR rep (I am most definitely not), but I have recommended the MSR type snowshoes to many people over the years and the way you discussed them in the previous article does them a dis service... when either they shouldn't have been highlited at all, or at least have given the pro's and con's of them. Michael,
Thank you for the great articles for all the reasons expounded on by others. I was about to comment on an issue I had with one part of your previous article, but decided to read this article first, and glad I did.
My criticism of the the previous article was only that you made a special point of highlighting that “modern gear” is part of the problem and then continue to spotlight the MSR Denali’s as an example. In my opinion… and based on what I read here in ‘this’ article, you agree that MSR Denalis are among the best. If one were to read only the previous article you would come away at least partly thinking that it was these newfangled modern MSR Denali snowshoes that are to blame. While your point about how the wide platform alters how a foot can properly engage a steep traverse, I haven’t seen better traction from any older style narrower snowshoe. Also you neglect to mention that the MSR snowshoes have two continuous rails with teeth that aid in gripping during a traverse… something that older style snowshoes lack. I have seen the MSR’s constantly outperform older style snowshoes.
Perhaps your argument should rather have been that the extra grip of the modern snowshoe like MSR’s gives a feeling of confidence that isn’t warranted on dangerous terrain. Sorry if my complaint here sounds petty, or if I sound like an MSR rep (I am most definitely not), but I have recommended the MSR type snowshoes to many people over the years and the way you discussed them in the previous article does them a dis service… when either they shouldn’t have been highlited at all, or at least have given the pro’s and con’s of them.

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2010/11/how-to-not-kill-yourself-snowshoeing/#comment-1482 Comment on On Blaming the Victim by Michael Coyle http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/GM7CLTq0d1k/ Michael Coyle Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:28:39 +0000 http://blog.oplopanax.ca/?p=639#comment-1480 A trail that's easy in the day time can be pitch black at night. I recall rescuing some people who told us that they had deliberately left the trail. When we asked them why they said it was too dark to walk on the trail so they went to where some light was coming through the trees. Of course this made them more lost. I've been in a similar situation (without a flashlight) and I understand why they did this -- the temptation is there to go where you can see. A trail that’s easy in the day time can be pitch black at night. I recall rescuing some people who told us that they had deliberately left the trail. When we asked them why they said it was too dark to walk on the trail so they went to where some light was coming through the trees. Of course this made them more lost. I’ve been in a similar situation (without a flashlight) and I understand why they did this — the temptation is there to go where you can see.

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/11/on-blaming-the-victim/#comment-1480 Comment on On Blaming the Victim by Dopetrain http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/PLKqDJnZwvo/ Dopetrain Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:27:34 +0000 http://blog.oplopanax.ca/?p=639#comment-1479 I remember reading of hikers getting lost, injured or some other situation on trails that I have travelled myself many times. My first thought is usually, "I don't understand how that could happen, it's such an easy trail." It probably should be easy, and it should be taken as a reminder of how easily a simple hike can turn into a disaster for anybody. I remember reading of hikers getting lost, injured or some other situation on trails that I have travelled myself many times. My first thought is usually, “I don’t understand how that could happen, it’s such an easy trail.” It probably should be easy, and it should be taken as a reminder of how easily a simple hike can turn into a disaster for anybody.

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/11/on-blaming-the-victim/#comment-1479 Comment on SAR Teams in BC by Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/PS6nl6gF9QU/ Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:49:41 +0000 http://blog.oplopanax.ca/?p=845#comment-1471 [...] Map of SAR Incidents in BC 2011. Michael also has a great post of all SAR teams in BC. [...] [...] Map of SAR Incidents in BC 2011. Michael also has a great post of all SAR teams in BC. [...]

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2012/01/sar-teams-in-bc/#comment-1471 Comment on Personal Locator Beacons from the Rescuer’s Perspective by Monday Links – Long Weekend Edition - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/u9VWaGIPwwk/ Monday Links – Long Weekend Edition - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:46:58 +0000 http://www.oplopanax.ca/blog/?p=9#comment-1470 [...] And more details on the same rescue: Personal Locator Beacons from the Rescuer’s Perspective. [...] [...] And more details on the same rescue: Personal Locator Beacons from the Rescuer’s Perspective. [...]

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/08/personal-locator-beacons-from-the-rescuer%e2%80%99s-perspective/#comment-1470 Comment on Safe places to Snowshoe by Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/kumDD4J82YQ/ Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:39:45 +0000 http://www.oplopanax.ca/blog/?p=58#comment-1469 [...] A great list of local, Safe places to Snowshoe [...] [...] A great list of local, Safe places to Snowshoe [...]

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/01/safe-places-to-snowshoe/#comment-1469 Comment on Concern over current avalanche bulletin by Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/BL3ZMVJ-nzM/ Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:39:25 +0000 http://www.oplopanax.ca/blog/?p=40#comment-1468 [...] Concern over current [North Shore] avalanche bulletin . [...] [...] Concern over current [North Shore] avalanche bulletin . [...]

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/02/concern-over-current-avalanche-bulletin/#comment-1468 Comment on SARDay 103: Lost hiker on Eagle Ridge by Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/mEQyB4bibus/ Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:39:08 +0000 http://www.oplopanax.ca/blog/?p=41#comment-1467 [...] SAR Day 103: Lost hiker on Eagle Ridge . [...] [...] SAR Day 103: Lost hiker on Eagle Ridge . [...]

]]> http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/02/sarday-103-lost-hiker-on-eagle-ridge/#comment-1467 Comment on Snowmobiles and Avalanches by Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OplopanaxComments/~3/ePV84bcNTjE/ Friday Links - Outdoor Vancouver | Outdoor Vancouver Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:38:52 +0000 http://www.oplopanax.ca/blog/?p=33#comment-1466 [...] Oplopanax Horridus looks at the relationship between Snowmobiles and Avalanches . [...] [...] Oplopanax Horridus looks at the relationship between Snowmobiles and Avalanches . [...]

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