The three sacred treasures you need in the backcountry
Avalanche gear is considered essential when venturing into the backcountry (BC). In particular, a beacon, probe, and shovel are three items whose functions complement each other, enabling rescue in the event of an avalanche. These are considered the most important items indispensable for avalanche search and rescue, and are therefore called the "three sacred treasures."
In the snowy mountains, you never know when an avalanche might occur. The three sacred treasures are essential not only for protecting your own life but also for helping your companions who are in the mountains with you. If you want to enjoy backcountry skiing safely and are thinking of buying these essential items, then for BC beginners who have never used them before, it can be a little difficult to know what to choose from the many products available. There is something that is perfect for such 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] Necessary
to receive radio waves transmitted by a transceiver held by a buried person (person in need of rescue), or to transmit radio waves to signal one's location if buried in an avalanche.
[Probe]
Used by sticking it into the snow surface to pinpoint the exact depth of a buried person who has been roughly located using a beacon.
[Shovel]
Necessary to actually dig the buried person out of the snow once the burial point has been identified. It is also used to check whether the area is in a weak layer 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 intuitive design, ease of use, and high durability. The TRACKER series is highly regarded for its fast signal acquisition, quick response to changing conditions, and the ability to search for multiple buried victims.
Three types of avalanche rescue packages are available to suit user needs. While the beacons differ in type, the probe and shovel are the same in all three sets.
bca | T4 RESCURE PACKAGE
Beacon: TRACKER4
Probe: STEALTH270
Shovel: 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
Shovel: 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,
Shovel: 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
Shovel: Transfer
Price: 51,700 yen
This entry-level set includes a Recon BT beacon, Transfer shovel, and QuickDraw Probe 240. It's a cost-effective entry-level set featuring durable, lightweight, and easy-to-use items.
The Recon BT beacon is the most entry-level of Black Diamond's three beacons, yet boasts a sufficient 60m reception range. The shovel is the newly redesigned Transfer model, featuring a retractable shaft and an easy-to-grip handle. The 240cm probe is a sufficient length, easy to assemble, and user-friendly for BC beginners.
◆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 Al-Lite QAS
Shovel: Professional Lite
Price: 70,950 yen
This package centers around the "DirectVoice" beacon, the world's first beacon equipped with a search voice navigation system, and includes a user-friendly and popular probe and shovel.
DirectVoice is a groundbreaking system that reliably guides you to the burial point using voice within a 50-meter effective search range. With a high level of navigation system that allows you to locate a buried person (transmitting beacon) even while blindfolded, as long as you understand how to use it, it is a reliable item that will ensure even first-time beacon users 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 Set "Micro BT Button"
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 specialists but also provides educational opportunities about avalanches to general mountaineers and backcountry enthusiasts. They hold "safety seminars" to raise awareness of avalanche dangers and "on-snow workshops" to learn avalanche safety measures in the field.
There are two types of safety seminars:
① AN (Avalanche Night) - A free two-hour seminar where you can hear about the basics of avalanches and accident cases. It is suitable for a wide range of people, from beginners to experienced climbers.
② miniAN (Mini Avalanche Night) - A small-scale seminar held by JAN members with specialized avalanche skills. It is easy to participate in even if you are new to mountaineering or have little experience.
There are three types of on-snow workshops to learn avalanche safety measures in the field.
For beginners, there is the "AvSAR Basic Course" (1 day) and the "BSC (Basic Safety Camp)" (2 days). By taking these, you can acquire comprehensive and important basic knowledge regarding avalanche safety measures. In addition, there is the "ASC (Advanced Safety Camp)" for experienced climbers.
For more details, please check the JAN website.
◆Japan Avalanche Network (JAN) https://nadare.jp/
Watch this avalanche search video to learn how to use avalanche rescue gear
the official JANwebsiteprovided asAvSAR(Japan Avalanche Search and Rescue Association). They clearly show how actual searches are conducted using beacons, probes, and shovels.
[AvSAR Basic Rescue Procedure]
[Search using AvSAR Basic avalanche beacon]
[How to use the AvSAR Basic probe]
[AvSAR Basic find]