RECCO/Provided photo
There are more resources than ever before for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, including education and equipment. It's bad practice to go into the backcountry without a reliable transceiver, probe, and shovel combination. Avalanches are always a serious threat to mountain recreationists, but that doesn't deter people from wanting to enjoy the outdoors. Total 5,813 Avalanches have been reported to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center for the 2022-23 season.
Avalanche safety equipment won't stop an avalanche, but it will increase your chances of survival. It was only a matter of time before this technology found its way into clothing and accessories.
Partnership in search and rescue
The idea behind RECCO was born in the late 1970s, and prototypes were made in the early 80s. The first RECCO rescue reflector was developed in Sweden in 1983. In 2023, RECCO officially celebrates its 40th anniversary.
RECCO reflectors are lightweight passive transponders that require no power or “activation” to function. It consists of a diode and an antenna. Reflectors can be incorporated into jackets, pants, helmets, backpacks, back protectors, boots, walkie-talkies, watches, and harnesses. Reflectors are also available as separate products that can be attached to helmets, backpacks, or belts. Designed for long-term use as long as there is no mechanical damage.
RECCO reflectors are embedded in apparel and gear from hundreds of popular brands, including Patagonia, Helly Hanson, POC, Arc'teryx, and more.
RECCO allows you to detect people wearing reflectors. The technology is impressive. Handheld detectors can find reflectors up to 80 meters in the air and up to 20 meters in packed snow, with a practical range of 30 meters in avalanche debris.
RECCO detectors emit a directional radar signal similar to the light of a flashlight.. When a radar signal hits the RECCO reflector, it is echoed back to the detector, pointing the user in the direction of the victim. Reflectors can also be used to locate lost gear.
There are two RECCO detectors in Grand County. One is hosted by Grand County Search and Rescue and the other is hosted by Winter Park Ski Patrol.
Daniel Howlett (aka Howie) works at RECCO as the Director of Training and Technical Support. He describes his role as “always non-stop answering questions.”
Prior to working with RECCO, Howie worked for 40 years as part of the avalanche program at Alta Ski Area in Utah. He also worked in backcountry rescue operations. During this work he became familiar with his RECCO technology. In the late 1990s, he discovered his new and small RECCO unit. While working outdoors, Howie saw technology evolve rapidly.
“We've seen technology move from analog avalanche transceivers to today's triple antennas with digital readout capabilities,” Howie says.
Howie eventually quit the resort and began working full time for RECCO in Montana. He described the relationship between RECCO and the integrated brand as a “partnership.”
“They are partners in the rescue system,” Howie said. “Sure, the customer and you both have to install reflectors and train on the system, but we’re all in this together.”
search and rescue
Grand County Search and Rescue has been using the receiver for the past 10 years.
Janelle Jordy has been with Grand County Search and Rescue for about seven years. It started when she saw a flyer at her post office and saw an opportunity to give back to her community while combining her love of the backcountry.
In her years as a search and rescue volunteer, she has seen technology change rapidly. She calls the technology they're using “impressive.” In addition to RECCO detectors, Grand County Search and Rescue has a whole kit of technology available.
She has seen firsthand how drones are deployed on a variety of missions and used for a variety of purposes. Drones can be used to survey difficult terrain or take photos in difficult-to-access terrain before sending volunteers to the ground. Some have limited infrared capabilities to locate victims in need of rescue.
According to Geordi, GPS technology is also very important in a variety of missions. SARTopo is a mapping program that provides data about team member locations, terrain conditions, sunlight levels, snow cover, and more.
Jordy said the RECCO detector can be used by people who don't have a walkie-talkie or if their transceiver malfunctions. Many people have reflectors embedded in their clothing and equipment, but they may not realize it. For inbound avalanches, RECCO detectors can be used to find people who may not have the same equipment as backcountry athletes.
Jordy also emphasized the importance of maintaining and carrying a walkie-talkie if you decide to recreate skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, etc. in the backcountry.
“Time is of the essence in avalanches,” Jordy says. “So when you go skiing, you put it in transmit mode, and if something terrible happens, you switch to search and hope you can find that transceiver right away.”
Jordy said there is no substitute for the combination of a partner, transceiver, shovel and probe when an avalanche occurs in the backcountry.
RECCO of Grand County
Alex Scholz-Bash works year-round as a professional ski patroller and bike parts clerk at Winter Park Resort. She also works as an avalanche technician for the Winter Park Ski Patrol Canine Team.
Bash has worked with the Winter Park Ski Patrol for 11 years. Before moving to the Fraser Valley, he lived in Durango and worked in Fort Lewis College's outdoor program. During this time, she learned a lot about snow safety and avalanches while working in the San Juan Mountains.
Bash's love of skiing, learning, and the outdoors has kept him in this job for a long time. She works on ski patrol and says the experience she gets is unparalleled. Bash is no stranger to technology and the role it plays in the outdoors.
Ski patrollers do a lot of work around resorts. Jordy said ski patrollers' days vary, but most mornings are spent doing maintenance around the mountain and preparing for guests. They are available to assist guests throughout the day, whether you need a question answered or an injury occurs. At the end of the day, patrols clean the slopes to ensure no one remains on the mountain.
In early 2023, Bash used a RECCO detector to locate a buried avalanche victim after Grand County Search and Rescue and the Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the Winter Park Ski Patrol Canine Team. In January, two snowmobiles were caught in an avalanche near Pumphouse Lake.
With the help of a dog team and RECCO detectors, the group was able to locate and rescue the buried snowmobile. Bash used a detector and found the rider's signal, which was completely submerged in Pump House Lake and buried under two feet of avalanche debris. The person found at RECCO did not have a walkie-talkie, so Bash's skills with a detector helped locate the body.
Avalanche dogs are not like other technologies used in search and rescue, but they are an important tool for finding people under the snow. They use scent to identify where someone is under the snow and alert their handlers. The handler then examines the snow to see if there is a person under the snow and begins the process of digging the person out of the snow.
Bash also said time is of the essence when it comes to avalanche response. She recommends everyone carry a walkie-talkie when in avalanche territory because they are easy to carry and anyone can use them with a little practice. RECCO detectors and rescue dog teams are not readily available resources during a disaster.
“There are many tools available for search and rescue,” Basch said. “The concept of using an avalanche (transceiver) generally seems simple, but it takes a lot of practice and training to really master it.”
“If this technology revolves around someone's life and has the potential to save someone's life, you need to be proficient in it, use it quickly, and understand it inside and out.”
Bash said one of the biggest changes he has seen while working outdoors is that technology has become more readily available to recreationists. She said the internet is a great resource for learning about safety. Those interested in backcountry recreation can do plenty of research before getting started.
“Users can do research to get the technology and do their homework to learn about it,” Basch said.
How will RECCO continue to evolve?
RECCO started on the snow. However, new achievements meant that RECCO technology could be used year-round for search and rescue operations.
RECCO search and rescue helicopter detector can cover large areas quickly. Helicopter detectors can search from a height of 100 meters and cover a search area approximately 100 meters wide. This aerial detector can be used all year round.
“This allows us to travel over very large terrain at 300 feet above the ground and as fast as you would normally drive a car, flying over forests, scree slopes, or very complex terrain. You can get the reflections from the RECCO reflector inside,” Howie said.
Colorado has one RECCO helicopter detector, located in Durango.
Beware of avalanche season
With so much safety information out there, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Bash keeps it simple.
“My advice to people going into the backcountry this winter is to get educated, get training, get equipment, practice with equipment, and know the avalanche forecast for the day,” Bash emphasized.
