>>21255401/2
What part of WA are you from?
I wouldn't even fuck with weekends unless there was an absolute dump ton at Alpental or I felt like the drive to get some North Back. Else, I have just about gone full splitboard on some weekdays and exclusively weekends.
Irrespective of your skiing level, which I don't care about there is a basic set of tools you will want to have with you.
1) Avalanche safety course
IDGAF who teaches the course or what their circle jerk accreditations are; get yourself a safety course that has about half class room half field observations
2) Never go alone and promise yourself that
3) Go with people who aren't utter retards. Anyone in the group who needs to be a hot shot can fuck right off
4) Gear:
Avalanche bag (optional). Some are for and some are against. I personally have a Mammut system which is pretty easy to use/setup and idiot proof. Additionally, some of the air tanks have proprietary valving or systems...stay away from those. You want something you can fill at a dive shop or paintball shop or at home with your own compressor. You want the bag to be able to hold basic tools you will need
-collapsible shovel (make sure the shovel is made of metal) with options like lashing points, ice pick and a long enough handle such that you can properly dig. Absolutely stay away from plastic blade shovels. Fucking worthless to anyone who is buried.
-probe. Something around 3 meters. Aluminum or carbon. Rapid deployment feature.
-beacon. Something you are comfortable using and wearing but also spend the most money here on a device with a wide receiver range. I have a Mammut Barryvox S which last I checked has the largest range receiver on the market. Look for a used unit if your cash strapped, but frankly I wouldn't risk my own life or that of a buddy on something used on eBay.
-streamlined safety kit with drugs and a skin suture tools to take care of anyone who gets a bad break and the bone rips their skin apart
