Boulder, CO - After years in development, Boulder's Backcountry Access has finally shipped its long-awaited Tracker2 avalanche beacon, the successor to the popular Tracker DTS. Concurrently, the Boulder-based firm has also released a simplified, and less costly, avalanche airbag system.


The Tracker2 has been a long time coming, as early prototypes were tested by backcountry ski writers as early as 2007. It reinforces the renowned ease-of-use of the Tracker DTS with a third antenna (for increased accuracy at close range), even faster processing speed, greater receive range, and “out of the box” simplicity.

The new BCA Tracker2 avalanche transceiver. (photo: Backcountry Access)

“This is the beacon you want your touring partner to carry,” said BCA Vice President and co-founder, Bruce Edgerly. “No bells and whistles, just raw simplicity and speed. In a stressful situation, that’s what people want.”

The Tracker2's suggested retail price is $335.

The company is poised to revolutionize another category with its new Float 30 avalanche airbag. This 30-liter backpack includes a compact compressed air system. When the user pulls a trigger on the right shoulder strap, a 150-liter airbag inflates behind the user’s head and shoulders to help protect the victim from trauma and helps keep him or her on top of the flowing avalanche debris.

Similar systems have been proven extremely effective in Europe, but have not been widely adopted in North America due to high prices and complicated refilling logistics. The Float 30 is priced at $500 and the cylinder can be exchanged or refilled at BCA and a network of retailers, SCUBA and paintball shops.

“We’ve done our homework and found that the biggest challenge in avalanche rescues is no longer the beacon search,” Edgerly said. “The vast majority of time is spent digging for the victim. By reducing or eliminating the burial depth, then you dramatically increase the chances of survival. Our mission is to save lives, not just pump beacons.”