What is it
A community-driven initiative intended to facilitate a structured approach for party-to-party communication in the backcountry through zone designated common radio channels.
The Why
The program is both inspired and modeled after the Telluride Backcountry Radio Program, which was launched back in 2015 to aid in the safety of backcountry users in the popular Bear Creek drainage adjacent to Telluride Ski Resort. Through the years the program has been widely embraced by the Telluride backcountry community, even credited for saving lives in several note worthy avalanche accidents in the area. In the case of an emergency the ability to communicate with other parties within a zone via a common channel allows the involved party to call out for help and get other parties in the zone to respond and aid in rescue efforts. Additionally there is the potential to reduce the amount of outside resources needed to perform unnecessary searches. Following Telluride’s lead similar radio programs have been created in other high-use backcountry areas in Washington and Utah. With the yearly increase in backcountry users there is a defiant need and a foreseeable benefit for such a program along the I70 corridor. Version 1 of the program will include two of the more popular zones along the I70 corridor in Berthoud Pass and Jones Pass. With plans to add additional zones in the future.
Radio Program Overview (Version 1)
FRS channels and annotations are the default language for the Radio Program as FRS style radios (BCA, Rocky Talkie) are most frequently used. An alternative frequency chart is provided below, if your using a Non-FRS radio, simply programming your radio to the provided frequency and CTCSS value will allow your radio to communicate with the program’s zone designated FRS channels.
Major Zones
Berthoud Pass
Jones Pass
i70 South
i70 North
Each major zone is assigned an open channel (FRS 1:0 for Berthoud, FRS 2:0 for Jones, FRS 6:0 for i70 South and FRS 7:0 for i70 North)
The open channel excludes any privacy code, allowing users to monitor (HEAR ONLY) all the radio traffic in a major zone (privacy code set to 0)
Within the major zones, areas are created based off the terrain which are distinguished with a privacy code
To communicate within a area, simply add the designated privacy code for that area:
Berthoud pass summit: 1:1
Current Creek: 1:2
Second & First Creek: 1:3
No Name Peak: 1:4
Mine Peak: 1:5
Jones Pass: 2:1
Butler: 2:2
West Fork: 2:3
Loveland pass north 6:1
Loveland pass south 6:2
Grizzly Gulch 6:3
Stevens Gulch 6:4
Tiptop Peak 6:5
Coon Hill 7:1
Dry Gulch 7:2
Herman Gulch 7:3
Woods Creek 7:4
Watrous Gulch 7:5
Ruby Gulch 7:6
Tuning in to the open channel (1:0, 2:0) will allow you to monitor (HEAR ONLY) all the chatter going on in that major zone. However when on an open channel you cannot TRANSMIT to anyone who is using the privacy code designated for the area within the major zone. To transmit to another group using the privacy code designated for the area, you must be using the same privacy code for them to hear you.
Example: To monitor (HEAR ONLY) any radio chatter at the Jones major zone use open channel 2:0
To communicate with another group in the Butler area use channel 2:2
Intended Uses & Radio Etiquette
As backcountry recreationalists we already follow several well established protocols to help manage risk and exposure to possible avalanche terrain. Expanding how we use radios through zone designated common radio channels can enhance communication and safety. However its important to use good radio etiquette and minimize unnecessary “chatter”. Too much chatter results in users switching away from the common zone channel. The program is most effective when users within the same zone are on the common channel. With this in mind, its encouraged we use radios for the following:
To communicate with others within your group.
To communicate with other groups within a similar zone.
To announce your “drop in” to ensure no other groups are below you in the terrain.
To announce your “all clear” when you are exiting a specific line or piece of terrain.
To alert your group and other groups about hazards, such as changing conditions or avalanches.
To send a distress call to your group and other groups to aid in self rescue.
To ask for someone to call 911 to mount an organized rescue, when 911 can’t be reached by someone in your group,
Alternative Frequency Chart for most NON-FRS radios
If you don’t use a FRS style radio (BCA, Rocky Talkie) setting your radio to the area designated common channel is still possible by matching the Zone Frequency (MHz) and Area Channel (CTCSS / “privacy code”) using the chart below
examples of how to use radios while utilizing designated area channels
Ensure everyone within your group knows what channel to be on for the area you’re traveling in. If multiple areas are part of the tour plan, and your radio has pre-set channel option, consider programming a few of the pre-sets to the designated area channels
Example: Your group has plans to start the day in Current Creek skiing southeast aspects, before seeking the northerly aspects of Second Creek later in the day. Program pre-set A to channel 1:2 (current ck) and pre-set B to channel 1:3 (second & first ck). Especially helpful with BCA Link style radios which have a base unit tucked away in your pack, making manually adjusting channels on the fly difficult.
Complete a “radio check” at the trailhead to ensure that everyone can hear and speak to each other.
Monitor the designated open channel for your major zone as your skinning/approaching your objective.
Example: Your group is heading up the Jones Pass road with plans to ski up in the West Fork basin. While skinning up the road you could be on channel 2:0 (the open channel for the entire Jones Pass Zone). Being on the open channel 2:0 allows you to monitor (HEAR ONLY) anyone transmitting with in the Jones Pass Zone (area channels 2:1, 2:2, 2:3). During your approach you hear another party report an avalanche in Butler (area channel 2:2). At this time you can switch to designated area channel for Butler 2:2. Allowing you to transmit to them asking what assistance you may provide.
*IMPORTANT* Now if you were set to area channel 2:3 (West Fork), your intended area for the day, you would not be able to assist in any way as you would not of heard the distress call.
Furthermore its possible involved party in Butler is not using the designated area channel 2:2, but another privacy code attached to channel 2 (example channel 2:9) . Allowing you were able to HEAR them on open channel 2:0. You switch to designated area channel 2:2 for Butler in attempts to communicate with them, however without matching privacy codes you wont be able to communicate. This further illustrates the benefits/importance of using the designated area channels.
Listen for other groups who are in your same area, they are likely in your vicinity. If deemed necessary, communicate to the other group(s) and let them know you’re in the area and where you plan on traveling/skiing.
Before descending, announce your “drop in” to ensure no other groups are below you in the terrain.
Example: “Party of 3 about to drop in to Y Chute , anybody down there?”
Communicate with your partners on the descent to identify safe re-grouping sites.
Example: “Jonah to Kevin, okay, I pulled out in the trees on the right side of the bench, come meet me here, over”
Communicate with your partners about potential hazards on the descent.
Example: “Chuck to Kristin, hey there is a steep convex rollover on the skier’s right side that we should avoid, make sure you stay to the left of my track, over”
In the case of an avalanche, use your radio to alert other members of your group, and other groups in the area.
Example: “SLIDE SLIDE SLIDE! Keep eyes on them! One person caught and carried in Nitro Chute! Beginning rescue!”
If your group needs help from others, use your radio to call for help on the designated channel.
Example: “We’ve got an avalanche in Nitro Chute, one person is buried, requesting all groups in the area to come help!” “Our group is unable to call 911, if someone could get to service and report the incident”
After descending your line, communicate the “all clear” to other groups in your area before you leave the area.
Example: “Party of 3, all clear from Y Chute, over”
Continue to monitor the open channel for the zone you’re traveling in until you arrive back at the trailhead. You never know when someone out there might need your help and even back at the trailhead, you may be the closest source of help.
Additional Resources on Radio Programs & Protocols
CAIC - avalanche accident reports - Where party to party communication via zone designated common radio channels played a instrumental role in rescue
Waterfall Canyon, Ophir, CO - Dec 2022 - * Link above is to The San Juan Snowcast (podcast episode) which details the accident in a recorded debrief by some the individuals involved
Uninvolved group 1: watched the avalanche occur from nearby and called on the area designated radio channel asking if everyone was okay. Uninvolved group 2: heard the radio traffic on the area designated radio channel and headed toward the accident site, while making a transmission requesting that all available parties in the area assist in the avalanche rescue on “centerline”. Ophir residents also heard the radio traffic on the area designated radio channel and called 911 before heading towards the accident site with a rescue sled. The involved group credits the fast actions and coordinated rescue from other groups in the area saved his life. The area designated common radio channel that the groups were monitoring and using that day were instrumental in the coordinated and timely rescue.
Waterfall Canyon, Ophir CO - March 2020
Three uninvolved groups in the area witnessed the avalanche and were able to make contact with the involved group utilizing the area designated radio channel. Additionally they were able to contact San Miguel Search and Rescue whom dispatched a helicopter to the accident site. The involved rider sustained significant, life-threatening injuries. The coordinated and fast actions taken by other groups in the area and the availability of the helicopter likely saved the riders life.
Telescope Mountain, Rico, CO - March 2020
The involved party was able to make radio contact with another group on top of Palmyra Peak near Telluride. This uninvolved group was able to contact authorities in Telluride, at this time SAR and Flight for Life helicopter were dispatched to the accident site.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to switch off the designated area channel to your groups own channel?
When there is a need for inter group communication that IS NOT pertinent to other groups in the area then make the switch.
Does CSAR actively monitor channel 3:0?
CSAR does not actively monitor FRS/GMRS channels but once responders are notified and in route, CSAR recommends all parties involved switch to Channel 3:0 as the default communication channel during rescue.