The three sacred treasures you need in the backcountry
Avalanche gear is considered essential for anyone entering the backcountry (BC). The three essential items—beacon, probe, and shovel—complement each other's functions when encountering an avalanche, enabling rescue efforts. These are known as the "three sacred treasures" because they are essential for avalanche search. An avalanche can
occur at any time in snowy mountains. These three sacred treasures are essential not only for protecting your own life, but also for rescuing your companions who have ventured into the mountains with you. If you want to enjoy backcountry skiing safely, you should definitely purchase these essential items! However, for BC beginners who have never used one before, choosing from the many products available can be a bit overwhelming. But there's something perfect for BC beginners.
This is a three-piece set consisting of a beacon, probe, and shovel, which is sold by various mountaineering manufacturers
The role of beacons, probes, and shovels
[Beacon]
This is necessary to receive radio waves sent by the transceiver carried by the buried person (person needing rescue), or to transmit radio waves to announce one's own location if one is caught in an avalanche and becomes buried.
[Probe]
This is inserted into the snow surface to determine the depth below the snow surface of the buried person, or to pinpoint their exact location, after a rough search using a beacon.
[Shovel]
Once the buried point has been identified, this is necessary to actually dig the buried person out of the snow. It is also used to check whether the snow is in a weak layer that is prone to avalanches.
A user-friendly 3-piece set that will help you make the right choice
The advantage of these is that they are already set up as a set, so users don't have to worry about choosing. Many are packaged with user-friendliness in mind, targeting BC beginners, and are easy to operate, as lightweight and durable as possible, and relatively reasonably priced. This allows beginners to purchase with confidence. Companies such as bca offer multiple packages to suit user needs
Let's take a look at what types of packages are available and see what brands have a proven track record as BC gear manufacturers
BCA beacons are the most widely used in North America, known for their simple, visually appealing ease of use and durability. The TRACKER series is highly acclaimed for its fast signal reception, quick display updates to changing conditions, and functionality such as the ability to search for multiple buried subjects.
Three types of avalanche rescue packages are available to meet user needs. While the beacons are three different types, the probe and shovel are the same.
bca | T4 RESCURE PACKAGE
Beacon: TRACKER4
Probe: STEALTH270
Excavator: B-1EXT
Price: 66,000 yen
This is a high-end rescue package that allows for the most advanced search capabilities. The beacon includes the latest version of the TRACKER series, the TRACKER4. The TRACKER4 features upgraded features such as a more audible beep sound during searches, a larger LCD display for improved visibility, and a rubber grip on the body to prevent dropping. Like the other two packages, the probe shovel includes the STEALTH270 and B-1EXT
bca | T3⁺ RESCURE PACKAGE
Beacon: TRACKER3
Probe: STEALTH270
Excavator: B-1EXT
Price: 60,500 yen
This is bca's most popular rescue package. The TRACKER3 features instant real-time display and is the thinnest and easiest-to-use model among bca beacons. Its design is designed for easy storage and does not interfere with more active riding. The Probe Shovel, like the TS Rescue Package, includes the STEALTH270 and B-1EXT
bca | TS RESCURE PACKAGE
Beacon: TRACKER S
Probe: STEALTH270
Excavator: B-1EXT
Price: 55,000 yen
This cost-effective rescue package includes everything you need. The beacon is the TRACKER S. Its performance is the same as the TRACKER 4 and TRACKER 3, but its operability and price are more affordable for entry-level users. The probe is the 270cm STEALTH 270, a standard model trusted by professionals and advanced users alike. The package includes the widely used B-1EXT shovel
A manufacturer of reliable mountaineering equipment, from climbing and backcountry gear to trekking gear. The brand was founded by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia. In the snowfield, they are highly trusted for their backcountry gear, including skis and poles, and especially for their safety gear, such as avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes
Black Diamond | BD Recon Avy Safety Set
Beacon: Recon BT
Probe: QuickDraw Probe 240
Excavator: Transfer
Price: 51,700 yen
This entry-level set includes the Recon BT beacon, Transfer shovel, and QuickDraw Probe 240. It's a cost-effective entry-level set that's durable, lightweight, and easy to use.
The Recon BT beacon is the most entry-level of Blackdiamond's three beacons, but its reception range of 60m is sufficient. The shovel is the new Transfer this season, with an extendable shaft for a comfortable grip. The probe is 240cm long, which is easy to assemble and suitable for beginners to BCs.
◆Inquiries: Lost Arrow https://www.lostarrow.co.jp/index.html
ORTOVOX is a long-established, prestigious brand of avalanche transceivers. The high level of technical skill and craftsmanship typical of Germany, the kingdom of craftsmanship, is evident in the mountain wear and accessories that the brand has its roots in avalanche gear. ORTOVOX also offers a training course called "SAFETY ACADEMY" to educate people on mountain safety, including videos on avalanche rescue
ORTVOX | AVALANCHE RESCUE SET DIRACT VOICE LIGHT
Beacon: Direct Voice
Probe: 240 All Light QAS
Excavator: Professional Light
Price: 70,950 yen
This package includes a popular and user-friendly probe and shovel, centered around the Direct Voice beacon, the world's first voice-activated search navigation system.
Direct Voice is a groundbreaking technology that reliably guides you to the buried site via voice within a 50-meter effective search range. As long as you understand how to use it, this high-level navigation system can locate a buried person (transmitting beacon) even while blindfolded, making it a reassuring item that even beginners buying a beacon for the first time can be sure to find the buried person.
The probe is the third lightest in the lineup, the 240 All-Lite QAS. It's robustly built and has seven shafts, allowing for more compact storage. The shovel is the Professional Lite, the best-selling and lightest model of ORTOVOX brand shovels in Japan. It's easy to handle, UIAA certified, and reliable for its durability and usefulness. At just 440g, it's extremely convenient for beginners looking to reduce the load as much as possible in unfamiliar backcountry terrain
◆Inquiries: Magic Mountain http://www.magic-mountain.jp/item/brand/index.html
A brand specializing in snow safety gear such as avalanche beacons, probes, and shovels. They build intelligent avalanche systems using the latest electronics, including beacons that can be set and managed via smartphone, and probes that catch the beacon's radio waves and notify the user of the distance to the buried subject by beeping and flashing LEDs
PIEPS | PIEPS Set "iProbe BT"
Beacon: Micro BT Sensor
Excavator: C660
Probe: iProbe BT260
Price: 66,000 yen
The iProbe BT is PIEPS's fastest rescue system set. The beacon is PIEPS' smallest and lightest model, with a spherical reception range of 50m and a large, easy-to-read display. The Micro BT Sensor automatically switches between transmission and reception, reducing switching time and preventing switching errors. The iProbe BT probe notifies you of a hit with sound and light, reducing the time from fine search to pinpointing by 60%. The set includes the C660 shovel, which allows you to quickly assemble the handle and blade without having to press any buttons
PIEPS ｜ PIEPS "Micro BT Button" Set
Beacon: Micro BT Button
Shovel: T500 Standard
Probe: Aluminum 220
Price: 50,380 yen
The PIEPS Micro BT Button is the smallest and lightest PIEPS product, with three antennas and an intuitive operation. It features a button-type switch that allows you to manually switch from transmit mode to receive mode. The complete kit includes the compact and lightweight T500 Standard shovel and the Aluminum 220 Probe
PIEPS ｜ PIEPS Set "Powder BT"
Beacon: Powder BT
Shovel: C660
Probe: Aluminum 260 Sport
Price: 46,200 yen
The Powder BT is a beacon for backcountry enthusiasts, with a 50m search range and simple, yet fast and accurate search support. This basic set includes the highly functional and cost-effective Powder BT, the C660 shovel with its C-shaped handle for ease of use, and the durable aluminum 260 probe
◆Inquiries: Lost Arrow User Support
https://www.lostarrow.co.jp/store/contact/contact.aspx
Learn to use avalanche gear effectively
To ensure that your avalanche gear isn't just a decorative charm, but that you can actually use it on the snow, you need to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to deal with avalanches. The best way to do this is to learn from the experts
The Japan Avalanche Network (JAN) is a professional organization that works on avalanche safety for winter outdoor activities. Many of the guides who offer backcountry tours are members of JAN and are certified as "avalanche workers."
JAN not only trains experts, but also provides avalanche education opportunities to general climbers and backcountry enthusiasts. It hosts "Safety Seminars" to raise awareness of the dangers of avalanches, and "On-Snow Workshops" to teach avalanche prevention in the field.
There are two types of safety seminars:
1) AN (Avalanche Night): a free two-hour seminar featuring basic avalanche knowledge and accident case studies. It's aimed at a wide range of participants, from beginners to experienced climbers.
2) miniAN (Mini Avalanche Night): a small-scale seminar hosted by JAN members with specialized avalanche skills. It's suitable for those new to snowy mountains or those with little experience
. There are three types of on-snow workshops for learning avalanche prevention in the field.
For beginners, there's the one-day "AvSAR Basic Course" and the two-day "BSC (Basic Safety Camp)." These courses provide comprehensive and important foundational knowledge on avalanche safety. There's also the "ASC (Advanced Safety Camp)" for experienced climbers.
For details, see the JAN website.
◆Japan Avalanche Network (JAN) https://nadare.jp/
Watch this avalanche search video to learn how to use avalanche rescue gear
AvSAR JAN provides as resources on its official website . They clearly show how actual searches using beacons, probes, and shovels are carried out.
[AvSAR Basic Rescue Procedure]
[Search using AvSAR Basic avalanche beacon]
[How to use the AvSAR Basic probe]
[AvSAR Basic Digging]