Posted by: Arney
Avalanche beacons in the summer? - 11/08/11 02:05 PM
I know nothing about avalanche beacons, their technology, how far their signals propogate, etc. but a thought just came to mind and I don't think it's ever been asked. Could an avalanche beacon be useful in situations other than when someone is buried in an avalanche? Say you step on a loose rock on a mountain trail in the summer and take a tumble down the slope into dense brush and are injured.
If you were diligent and left info with someone about your route, overdue time, and that you were carrying an avalanche beacon, could searchers who were retracing your steps also be looking for your beacon signal? Is that something practical? Chances are, you'd be the only person in the area transmitting, so that's a good thing. Are aircraft equipped to pick up that frequency? (The James Kim family situation came to mind just now.)
I don't think I've ever heard of an avalanche beacon being deliberately used this way, so that's why I ask. Thoughts?
If you were diligent and left info with someone about your route, overdue time, and that you were carrying an avalanche beacon, could searchers who were retracing your steps also be looking for your beacon signal? Is that something practical? Chances are, you'd be the only person in the area transmitting, so that's a good thing. Are aircraft equipped to pick up that frequency? (The James Kim family situation came to mind just now.)
I don't think I've ever heard of an avalanche beacon being deliberately used this way, so that's why I ask. Thoughts?