{"id":13641,"date":"2026-02-04T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/radio-map-could-improve-communication-safety-for-backcountry-travelers\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:38:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:38:49","slug":"radio-map-could-improve-communication-safety-for-backcountry-travelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/radio-map-could-improve-communication-safety-for-backcountry-travelers\/","title":{"rendered":"Radio map could improve communication, safety for backcountry travelers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Josh
Josh Kling, director of Outdoor Pursuits, communicates with Jamie Bernstein via radio Jan. 22 during a ski tour in Prospect Gulch. Recreators are encouraged to dial into certain frequencies when in certain zones in the backcountry to improve safety and communication. (Scout Edmondson\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

When Liam Goettelman heads out for a backcountry ski in the San Juan Mountains, he starts by checking the Colorado Avalanche Information Center\u2019s avalanche danger forecast, decides on a safe route with his ski partners and makes sure his equipment is in order.<\/p>\n

In addition to his skis, boots and poles, Goettelman carries an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe \u2013 crucial pieces of safety gear that no skier or snowboarder galavanting in the mountains should forego.<\/p>\n

Goettelman also carries a portable radio, which have become increasingly common as backcountry skiing has grown in popularity \u2013 as much as eight-fold since 1995, according to a study <\/a>presented in Montana State University\u2019s 2024 International Snow Science Workshop.<\/p>\n

\"Liam
Liam Goettelman goes out for a backcountry ski in the San Juan Mountains. He usually carries a radio with him to communicate with his group and other backcountry users. Here, his radio microphone is attached to his left backpack strap. (Courtesy of Liam Goettelman)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

On Dec. 29, the Friends of the San Juans introduced the San Juan Backcountry Radio Program<\/a>. The program assigns radio frequencies to different ski zones \u2013 called open channels \u2013 which are visible through a map published on the organization\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Board member Evan Tyler said the radio frequency map was a community effort partially facilitated by Friends of the San Juans that came about as a result of the growing popularity of backcountry skiing.<\/p>\n

\n

On the web<\/h4>\n

To view the radio frequency map, visit thesanjuans.org\/radio-program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cAll of a sudden we\u2019re seeing a lot more traffic out there on radio channels,\u201d he said. \u201cThe goal was to create a tool where groups could effectively communicate between groups, in a consistent manner that was also facilitating safe use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Goettelman said he was all in when he learned about the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw it and was really excited about it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt means that you can have effective communication and really be on the same page as all sorts of different users, which increases safety and ease of use in the backcountry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Radios geared specifically toward backcountry recreators \u2013 brands like Backcountry Access and Rocky Talkie \u2013 range in price from $110 to $205, though many commercially available two-way radios can perform the same function.<\/p>\n

Standardizing and promoting communication<\/div>\n

\"Coffee
Coffee Bear, a Silverton coffee shop, is where many backcountry travelers meet to talk about their plan for the day. The shop offers last minute items \u2013 like AAA batteries, headlamps and spare gloves \u2013 and a print of Friends of the San Juans\u2019 radio program map. (Scout Edmondson\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Open radio channels, as they are called by Friends of the San Juans, assign a specific radio frequency to different zones in the mountains and are open to anyone to use. These community radio channels are not a new concept.<\/p>\n

Ophir, a small town near Telluride, has had one for years, and is something investigators said could have saved a man\u2019s<\/a> life if he had carried a radio when he died after being caught in an avalanche in 2024.<\/p>\n

The open channels serve several functions, including:<\/p>\n

Allowing people to communicate within one\u2019s party and other parties in a given vicinity.Announcing one\u2019s \u201cdrop in\u201d and \u201call clear\u201d when skiing a specific line or piece of terrain. Alerting recreators about hazards like changing conditions or avalanches.Sending distress calls.Allowing for communication with search and rescue operations.<\/div>\n

Chris Trullaz, a guide with San Juan Expeditions, said the frequency map is a handy new resource.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe backcountry user group in Silverton is growing quite rapidly, and the ability to hear if there\u2019s other people going out or that there\u2019s potentially a rescue needed in the same zone can mean the potential difference of saving someone\u2019s life or not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Chris
Chris Trullaz, a guide with Silverton-based San Juan Expeditions, speaks with students during an avalanche education class in Coffee Bear. The group discussed route plans, avalanche danger and communication strategies \u2013 including what radio frequency they should use to based on the zones they travel through. (Scout Edmondson\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Tyler George, director of Silverton Mountain Rescue, said standardized radio channels could help recreators avoid triggering an avalanche that slides onto other people below them on a given slope.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowing who is recreating above (or below) you could help mitigate accidents, and if you need help you may be able to contact other recreationalists nearby to lend a hand,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

From a search and rescue standpoint, George said the map could help improve communication between an injured party and rescuers.<\/p>\n

While Silverton Mountain Rescue has not yet used the map for any rescues, rescuers are now incorporating it into their rescue checklist. Though rescuers do not monitor the channels, once they are alerted to an emergency, they can use them to communicate with those in need of help.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be incredibly helpful if we can communicate with people from the trailhead and get a detailed idea of their conditions and needs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Recreators should still carry a satellite communication device, like a SPOT or inReach to communicate directly with search and rescue, George said.<\/p>\n

\"Josh
Josh Kling, director of Outdoor Pursuits, communicates with Jamie Bernstein via radio Jan. 22 during a ski tour in Prospect Gulch. Recreators are encouraged to dial into certain frequencies when in certain zones in the backcountry to improve safety and communication. (Scout Edmondson\/Durango Herald)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Could radios be a crutch?<\/div>\n

Josh Kling, director of Fort Lewis College\u2019s Outdoor Pursuits and International Federation of Mountain Guides Association certified guide, and Jamie Bernstein, Outdoor Pursuit\u2019s program coordinator, brought radios while out for a ski in Prospect Gulch. They had a clear plan of where they were going, and said they would use their radios sparingly and as an emergency backup.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost avalanche accidents occur as a result of a breakdown in communication,\u201d Bernstein said. \u201cRadios make communication easier. You\u2019re not always right next to your partner. So it makes it easier to space appropriately and still have crystal-clear, reliable communication.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kling said the radio map is a promising tool. But he thinks people could become overreliant on radios and forget to have clear communication before heading into the backcountry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re a rad tool, but I think people use them as a crutch when they don\u2019t discuss things very good ahead of time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"More
More companies \u2013 including Backcountry Access and RockieTalkie \u2013 are offering hand-held radios for backcountry travel. This model is tuned to 17.1, the radio frequency assigned to Prospect Gulch outside Silverton. (Scout Edmondson\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Goettelman said he comes up with a clear plan with his group well ahead of time, and sometimes never even uses his radio.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou usually have some sort of route that you\u2019re wanting to ski, then it\u2019s just kind of that constant communication with the group and assessments of conditions in order to make smart decisions on how you\u2019re traveling and skiing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Backcountry radios don\u2019t always work, either. It is hard for them to receive a signal over ridgelines or other terrain features, and they could run out of battery while out in the backcountry. Therefore, Kling said having a clear plan and good group dynamics is more important than solely relying on a radio.<\/p>\n

Additionally, he said good etiquette is important when using an open channel. During one recent ski tour, he recalled hearing someone singing Lady Gaga on the open channel. Not only is that annoying, he said, it could prevent someone from calling for help.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe button on the radio that says \u2018PTT\u2019 on it means \u2018Push To Talk,\u2019 not \u2018Push To Think,\u2019\u201d Kling said. \u201cYou should use syllables, not sentences, and sentences, not paragraphs. Clear, concise communication.\u201d<\/p>\n

sedmondson@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Josh
Josh Kling points out a line in Prospect Gulch while skiing Friday. Radios can be used when visibility is reduced by trees or other terrain features. (Scout Edmondson\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>