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It may be harder and longer, but it's the only guaranteed way out. A search and rescue guy I knew told me his longest rescue of 7 days after losing him was someone who just kept going, they even found his old camps before him. Said he thought if he just went further he'd find a road or something. The guy only survived because he was a stoner and brought a pack of snickers and many lighters.

If you don't want to go the smartphone route you could get a simple/cheap gps for this exact reason. I found This on Amazon it looks like most of its features don't work well/at all, but you can get it to, apparently reliably, print gps coordinates accurate to 20-30 feet and the rechargeable battery apparently lasts a while too. If you choose to get it, check it thoroughly before the return window is up to be positive 1) it works in your area well and 2) that you know how to translate what it gives you to your maps.

Hey man, there are no strikes in the woods, everyone in your group made it back. It might not have been the easiest way possible, but you made the right calls given the info at hand and made it out in one piece. A lot of people can't say the same. It looks like it was very enjoyable too, at least the beginning part. So success!

edit: second section final point

If you haven't completed your Avy 1 course, that's your number one priority right now. Get the safety gear and learn how to use all the pieces before you attempt to venture out in the backcountry. Make friends, never go out alone.




Wasatch Backcountry Map <-- Buy the paper version and keep it in your pack.

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain <-- This is your bible. Read it often. The man who wrote it is our state avalanche forecaster.

Utah Avalanche Center <-- Read every single page on this site.

Daily Advisory <-- Read the local advisory every. single. day.

Weather Forecast <-- Check the weather forecast every day, or very often. Watch what the winds are doing.

Snotel Stations <-- Check the Snotel stations during and after storms.


And please don't bootpack in the skin track. Nobody likes that guy.

Just be safe, use common sense, and take it slow at first. Don't jump in and try to bag Superior's south face until you're ready. Lastly, praise Ullr and do your snow dances.

A good guidebook is super helpful as well. Washington finally got a good one this year: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594856567

I've also started a little website to compile backcountry tours in Washington: http://powderlin.es/. It only has 3 tours right now but if anyone is interested in adding more let me know! The source is on Github: https://github.com/bobbymarko/powderlines

The last couple of years, when we go on snowboard trips, I usually just bring a pair of skate shoes for walking around in the hotel, and I wear my snowboard boots everywhere else (e.g. out to the bar in the village). My skiier friends just mock me, but I get them back just as hard 'cause snowboard boots are fine for sitting in a bar drinkin' beer, and I can drive in 'em and head straight from the truck to the chairlift as opposed to pissing around putting on boots in the chalet.

But, 'round home, I'll wear Salomon gortex trail runners if the snow isn't deep. Otherwise, I've got a pair of Columbia omni-heat waterproof snow boots that I've had for years and are awesome in all sorts of winter slop.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0898868092/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=T1 this is a good starting place. And pretty cheap as yell.

I have last years Arc's. Probably get Whammy bar sometime, but just that its on the list of shit I want.

I just bought some of this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D3G6IFE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1