LAKE TAHOE Calif./Nev. – Tahoe Backcountry Radio is heading into its second year, expanding with more trailhead signs and outreach events.
The program started last year with the aim of implementing backcountry radio community channels in the Tahoe Basin, which are specific radio channels assigned to specific backcountry areas (zones).
The channels are valuable in the backcountry because they place users in reach of other users for intel on conditions, drop-in notifications and calls for help.
The program launched last winter, and organizers raised awareness of the new backcountry resource.
“We have great awareness; now we need to get people to use it,” radio project lead Jamie Morgan said. “We are encouraging people to do their radio check at the trailhead on the community channel so people know there are others out there.”
This year, the program is expanding to more trailheads, increasing from last year’s 26 to 40 trailheads. In that effort, the program is recruiting trail stewards to help with education and awareness when they are out skiing.
The program is also offering more trailhead outreach days to raise awareness and teach people how to use the channels. The trailhead outreaches take place at various popular backcountry trailheads with beacon practice fields, and resources on the radio program and avalanche education.
Tahoe Backcountry Radio has launched a new website that offers a trailhead check-in page that finds a user’s zone channel from a phone in a parking lot. It also provides area avalanche forecasts and localized weather links, information from the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, and a place to provide feedback.
Tahoe Backcountry Radio will participate in a series of educational events and discussions this winter, including the Tahoe Mountain Sports Avalanche Education Series night on December 16 in Truckee, plus other film nights and workshops.
For a full list of events, trailhead outreaches or more information about the program, radio etiquette or a backcountry zone’s channel, visit the Tahoe Backcountry Radio website, tbradio.org.
