It’s coming. That fall nip in the air can only mean one
thing—a fresh season of backcountry touring is just around the
bend. And for those of us who love to seek out the latest gear,
there’s a big one on the market. No, it’s not another shovel that’s
even lighter and more compact than last year. It’s a digital product
and the first of its kind in the realm of avalanche safety prevention.
Many are saying it could revolutionize the backcountry industry.
By now, you’ve likely heard of the AvaTech Smartprobe
SP1. Virtually every major outdoor media platform has written
about it. With one dip into the snow, the digital probe can
apparently generate 5000 pieces of snow data in one second. From
slope angle, elevation to flagging dangerous layers—the probe
analyzes the information and geo-tags it so that software
subscribers from around the world can access the field data online.
That’s a heck of a lot faster than digging a snow pit.
According to its creators at MIT, the digital probe provides a
more accurate reading of snow data than a snow pit. CEO and cofounder Brint Markle says the idea came after he nearly lost a
friend in an avalanche.
The SP1 uses software called AvaNet, which makes field
data accessible to subscribers worldwide.
The product is new and has yet to spend a season in
circulation among industry professionals. The company, AvaTech
describes the SP1 probe has a tool used to gather information about
snowpack, but says it should in no way replace critical thinking
and professional training.
“There is absolutely no substitute for sound judgment and
experience. The avalanche problem is incredibly complex and we
are not building a magic wand to solve it,” says AvaTech on its
website.
Brian Lazar is the deputy director of the Colorado Avalanche
Information Centre. He’s one of few industry professionals who
has tested it for AvaTech.
“I can’t dig twenty holes in a day, but I can certainly take
twenty probe profiles,” says Lazar.
Its predicted ability to lighten a ski patroller’s workload is a
notable benefit. Sure, being a product of MIT gives the probe huge
credibility, but beyond the media write ups and product testers,
industry professionals are saying little until they try it.
Last week, Banff was bursting with more than 800 avalanche
industry professionals at the International Snow Science Workshop
(ISSW). Geoscientists, forecasters, heads of avalanche safety
programs and ski patrol professionals gathered to discuss the latest
techniques and data on how to keep the public safe in the
backcountry. The founders of AvaTech Smartprobe SP1 were there
to promote the new product. While tweets from the week
referenced insightful workshops, symposiums and speakers, little
was tweeted about the digital probe. When asked about the new
technology, geoscientist and forecaster Markus Eckerstorfer
replied:
“They had a booth and some poster. But there isn’t any
research on it yet.”
We are living in an exciting time for tech developers. The
AvaTech Smartprobe SP1 is the latest gadget in the realm of
avalanche safety prevention. Like most digital technology
products, the SP1 aims to make life easier and more accessible.
For now, when it comes down to testing the layers for the
average backcountry enthusiast, digging a snow pit and using
critical thinking skills should be the go-to tools for safety
prevention. This season, your best backcountry gear is likely what
you already have—a trusty shovel, probe, beacon and good
judgment.
The Canadian Avalanche centre has put out a review on a few of
the Smartphone and android apps accessible to the public. Here’s
the link: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/avalanche-search-appsreview
More information on the AvaTech Smartprobe SP1 here:
http://www.avatech.com/#