B.A.R.K. Beacon Basin
Alpental B.A.R.K. (Backcountry Avalanche Rescue K9s) is local volunteer group of Avalanche K9 Rescue Teams. The non-profit organization is dedicated to reducing avalanche related injury and death as well as supporting and providing avalanche education.
Transceiver Training Park
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Winter season, during Alpental operations -
Alpental -
Search & locate only, NO DIGGING
Beacon Basin is a transceiver training park designed for backcountry enthusiasts to practice simulated avalanche searches using their own beacon/transceiver and probe.
- Generously manageged and supplied by Alpental B.A.R.K.
- Built using an EZ Searcher System which is fully automated and will facilitate simulated searches for up to four buried ‘victims'.
- Users can set up 3 different modes of search practice, from easy to difficult.
Beacon Basin Location
The transceiver training park is located across from the main Alpental parking lot. Accessed via the slope adjacent to the Snow Lake Trailhead with the training park located immediately to the right once setting up-hill on the trail about 15 yards.
When Is Beacon Basin Open?
The transceiver training park is intended to always be available for use during Alpental ski area winter operations. However, there must be sufficient snow.
The training park is a self-service, fully automated, simulated search system complete with solar power.
Practice Searching
Find the EZ Searcher control box located on a large, wooden pole on the lower end of the training park just above the Alpental road.
- Choose difficulty or search practice level
- Search and locate the buried beacon or 'victim'
- Probe until you strike the buried 'victim'
- A flashing light will activate above the control box each time a searcher successfully strikes the 'victim' with their probe
DIGGING NOT PERMITTED: Please do not dig up the practice transmitters/strike pads as the beacon park is set up only as a search and locate system. The buried units are not actual avalanche transceivers, they are just transmitters.