BCA Backcountry Assessor

The BCA app from Backcountry Access is designed to help backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers plan tours, assess the avalanche danger, and improve group communication. It provides the following tools:

* Tour Planner: Locate your touring destination on a map, then plot each leg by double-clicking on each waypoint. The Tour Planner allows the users to enter the aspect, elevation, and slope angle for each waypoint, the mileage and vertical feet (or meters) is automatically calculated for each leg, and a total time estimate for the complete tour. You can move, add waypoints and update the data with actual measurements once in the field. These tours can be saved for future reference.

* 3-in-1 Measuring Tool: Measure aspect, elevation, and slope angle, then store and directly compare them to the avalanche forecast in your chosen region.

* Avalanche Forecasts: Updates and stores the avalanche forecast each time the app is turned on, so they can be viewed even in areas with no cell reception. Pre-select forecasts from a menu of avalanche centers worldwide.

* AIARE Tools: A menu of communication tools including the AIARE Communication Checklist, AIARE Decision Making Framework, and AIARE Observation Reference. Developed with the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE).

* Rescue Guides: Bulleted summaries of how to perform an avalanche rescue, including videos of proper beacon searching and shoveling technique. A section on “Calling for Help” provides a list of information to gather at the scene of an accident. It auto-populates the GPS coordinates, then allows the user to store all the recorded information fortransmission to emergency personnel.

* Float Pack Refill Locations: Locates BCA retailers and refill centers for BCAs Float avalanche airbags.

* BCA Products: Links to BCAs website for researching and ordering BCA products, including Tracker avalanche beacons, shovels, probes, snow study tools, Stash packs, and Float avalanche airbags.

As with all our products at BCA, we are interested in having our users help us to improve our products to better serve their needs. To submit your comments or feedback, please contact [email protected]