Pinkham Notch Beacon Park
$5,601.08
Raised
61
Donations
$5,000
Goal
Winter backcountry travel is increasing in popularity across the country. Anecdotal reports from NH Fish and Game and the Mount Washington Snow Rangers show that this interest in outdoor winter sports has increased even faster during the COVID era. This is definitely true of the backcountry areas of Mount Washington in the White Mountain National Forest where large numbers of backcountry recreationists continue to access the mountain from the Pinkham Notch trailhead on a daily basis.
Each traveler in this backcountry area is stepping directly into avalanche terrain. While the Snow Rangers provide a daily avalanche forecast and assist with patrol and education, each backcountry traveler is ultimately responsible for themselves and their party as they travel into this highly consequential terrain.
The foremost tools of avalanche safety are awareness, education and sensible decision making seconded by avalanche rescue equipment such as beacons, probes and shovels.
In partnership with the Mount Washington Snow Rangers and the Appalachian Mountain Club we are establishing the first avalanche beacon park in the eastern United States.
Your donation will be applied towards the purchase of a BCA Beacon Park Kit making it easier for recreationists and pros to to practice with their avalanche transceivers.
Money will also be applied toward signage for users and instructions, periodic target “beacon” repositioning, and park upkeep and monitoring. We expect that an initial expenditure will be needed for installation and sign creation but this should not need continued financial support. Target “beacon” management and park monitoring will be easily performed by snow rangers and/or lodge staff without additional cost.
The park is planned to be behind Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch within easy walking distance from the parking lot and next to the most traveled backcountry access trail on Mount Washington.
Avalanche beacon search skills are absolutely vital and time-critical in the event of an avalanche burial. Unfortunately, these skills are also quite technical, extremely perishable and necessary only in very stressful circumstances. Because of this, backcountry educators constantly reinforce the necessity for continuous practice and improvement in order to prevent injuries, find victims and save lives.
The Mount Washington Avalanche Beacon Park would improve the training, confidence and avalanche awareness of large numbers of backcountry travelers who access this unique Eastern mountain.
Donor Wall11
Anonymous
Thank you and please don’t share my address!
Nate Katz | $26.27
Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this fantastic and forward-thinking resource to the Valley.
Joanne | $259.92
Tried to get this going with the snow rangers 10 years ago when I first moved to the MWV. Hope it happens!
Chris Tarbox | $25
Emily | $52.23
Patrick Voll | $26.27
Ben Matthews | $10.69
This is awesome!!
Mike | $26.27
Ryan | $52.23
So stoked to see this happen!
Nikos | $10.70
Awesome to see education and safety like this!
Sarah Smith | $26.27
So excited for this! Thanks for all that you do, keeping the Valley safer