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Whistler, BC
Canada
422 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2009 : 11:18 PM
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| Great spot Dave!! Its always good to see well informed, well spoken people such as yourself out there spreading the good word. Thanks. |
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Tumbler Ridge, BC
Canada
391 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2009 : 11:39 PM
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quote:
I love the media! Yes their job most of the time is to create mountains out of mole hills, they also will often cover sports that would otherwise not get on television. You just have to know how to use that in your favor.
It depends which kind of media you're talking about..
TV and radio tend to do this (mountains out of molehills), because they operate on the soundbite and the 30-second spot. Print media tends to be a lot better in terms of providing context and avoiding hyperbole.
Of course, a lot of reporters in all mediums tend to be pretty clueless about covering missing hiker and avalanche stories, but as far as the nature of the beast goes... print media tends to make for more complete coverage than broadcasts do.
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 bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4663 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 07:00 AM
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Just saw the videos now - Great job Dave!   |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1425 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 3:36 PM
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Originally posted by norona
scott and j mace-, if your looking for a reaction from me in the negative you'll have to go elsewhere. Of course there is a lot of grey area here however enlighten me on how you would explain the situation on television that would remind people that steppin beyond boundaries without the proper gear is not a good thing and help search and rescue lower the number of people who do duck ropes and get into trouble however at the same time remind the people who know nothing about the backcountry that it should not be closed. Write my script for my next television spot and I will gladly use it.
It's certainly difficult to explain the subtelty in 10 seconds on tv, but I still think it's sending mixed messages. On mountain FM radio this year they are constantly emphasizing that the backcountry avalanche advisory applies to all areas outside the ski area boundary.
I intend no offense of course, but I do want to respond to your challenge. I would say that when you cross a ski area boundary, you are enterring a backcountry area which has many unmarked and uncontrolled hazards, such as avalanches, cliffs, open creeks, difficult navigation, etc. Travelling safely in the backcountry (whether you access it from a ski hill or otherwise) requires trainning, experience, the right equipment, and up to date information on snow conditions. Unless you have all of these elements in place, you should not be entering any backcountry area. |
Edited by - scottN on 01/23/2009 3:48 PM |
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 | LeeL
Advanced Member
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Extreme ski tourin, mountain bikin addict who hikes at least once a year
2509 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 4:48 PM
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I think I know what you're saying and its kind of scary.
You've got more experience talking to mainstream media (I usually comment on very specific subject matter).
Is it really that hard to get that message across in mainstream media? That self-reliance and self-education is what you need in the backcountry? If it is (and I think you might be saying that) then how the devil is the CAA going to get the message that safe travel in the backcountry can be carried out if you have the education etc.
quote:
Originally posted by norona
"I would say that when you cross a ski area boundary, you are enterring a backcountry area which has many unmarked and uncontrolled hazards, such as avalanches, cliffs, open creeks, difficult navigation, etc. Travelling safely in the backcountry (whether you access it from a ski hill or otherwise) requires trainning, experience, the right equipment, and up to date information on snow conditions. Unless you have all of these elements in place, you should not be entering any backcountry area."
So basically you are saying hey search and rescue professionals and avalanche professionals put up these ropes etc. but if you think your good enough and have the gear just ignore them and go for it! Good luck in promoting that message. Maybe you should send that message to Search and Rescue teams and see what their response is. Either you have no clue how many people are putting themselves in danger each year and at what expense to tax payers and search and rescue efforts. I guess if you want this message out there you''ll have to contact the tv stations and print media yourself and I will keep promoting my mixed messages.
Your argument is typical of how climbers hated the imax movie that was done on everest because it did not show enough nerdy climbing porn but instead appealed to the masses. In reality if they made it nerdy only a few nerds would show up. Since they made it so the average person could understand and enjoy it many more people watched and were dazzled and it made money.
Keep doing what your doing, I will as well, but I will never promote that going under ropes is a good thing and that we are entitled to do it. It will drag too many wankers along who get killed in fact it already does.
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1048 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 5:50 PM
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Basically all I am saying is that there are more important fish to fry or messages to get out. Scottn is focusing on what is wrong with what I am saying rather than understanding that the message is going out to the average person on the street who really thinks the backcounty is a strange scary place that no one should go. My job is to remind people that the backcountry is safe and thousands use it everyday safely due to training, experience and equipment. They will continue to do so for ever. However you do it then keep doing what your doing.
I am on the side of the resorts, avalanche professionals and search and rescue citing that no one should go under marked ropes...this helps prevents the average skier boarder from doing it....those who do are either completely lacking in the knowledge or who have the experience like most here and will continue to do so. You don't have to shout to people that you do.
It is the same as the CA saying how everyone should stay out of the backcountry when an extreme issue is up. This is a good message as it is so powerful that many who do not know their stuff really take seriously. However I know I can go out and do on any day i just have to make good decisions of where I go. I don't go, "this is sending mixed messages". If the cA goes well some can't and some can then it has less impact. They know the people who are experienced will make up their decisions based on the facts and still go but it will keep those who are unsure out of the backcountry until it gets a better bulletin from the CA.
Just yesterday I was telling a women how I spend a lot of time in the backcountry, she said not this year though! She was pretty surprised that I would go back there since people have died and how bad it is. However I told her that with experience and good decisions it it safe. She was surprised as many people are. This is why trying to get into the debate with the majority is just not that important. They do not know which is fine but it is a waste of time trying to explain every senerio.
I promote that skiers and boarders stay inbounds at resorts. Resorts want this as well as it is not great publicity when people die exiting off their resorts. I don't care if it is a provincial park or owned privately. They can and will decide and have to decide what is best for the majority. For the few of us that go beyond these ropes, we take full responsibility for our actions and do so with due diligence and experience etc. However we do not have to tell people we do....once we do we are brining attention onto ourselves that is not good advertising. We may be able to access these areas but there is no need to advertise it to the general public...as some of these people will just follow without having the training or experience.
My job in life is to have fun and promote that people get out and have fun. Get informed and get outside is my motto like adventuresmart.ca I will do this in the simplest way so others will get excited as well. Sorry but all of this explaining has given me a headache, this is why I don't do it on tv as you will never win...
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Finally stopping that crazy suffering that is ice, climbing to concentrate on great ski tours!
3523 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 6:06 PM
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I am a strong proponent of us staying away from restricting people's access into "out of bounds" or "backcounty" ski areas (different from in-bounds closed areas) BUT when you're delivering a message to a group of people that have no understanding of what the difference between resort and non-resort skiing is, keep it simple and err on the side of safety and responsibility.
Dave did that. Cripes, we don't need anyone encouraging people to ski away from resorts. Why?
1. It means more people skiing stuff I want to. Most of the overweight smokers I see at the resorts won't venture out to where you have to skin up, but let's keep the powder for those that have the ambition to find out about it, not see a 2min blurb on the morning show.
2. You might project that it's somehow "safe" regardless of what you say. "Hey, that Dave dude on BT said we can hop the ropes at Resort ABC and have some cool skiing."
3. People might confuse out-of-bounds with in-bounds-closed areas and seriously fuck themselves up. If you don't know the difference, the 2min BT bit is not where to find out.
4. The BT piece is to let folks know that there is some cool skiing going on away from the resorts, but you have to have your shit together to do it. Dave did that!
I watched the youTube vid on the BT piece, and it was good. Dave managed to keep the host from dominating (he did try!) and got a ton of cool info out in a short time. Reverends and Alpinist-Elle skins eh? Waddya work for G3? |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5902 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 6:14 PM
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| Well done Dave, even though people will hear what they want to hear you did a good job of speaking to the masses. |
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| gyppo
Intermediate Member
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
753 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 6:58 PM
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Well done Dave. Excellent piece on backcountry safety with emphasis on education. Way to keep one step ahead of the host, too!
Benoit
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| LeeL
Advanced Member
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Extreme ski tourin, mountain bikin addict who hikes at least once a year
2509 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 7:06 PM
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| dave - I see your point. Thanks for taking the time to explain |
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Little backcountry and snowshoeing spot on BT City
