ultimate bkcounty accessorie

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

All good information.

And even if you do all the right things and take all the correct precautions - things can still go wrong. I remember about 15-20 years ago when the head ski patrol up at Meadows died in a freak avalanche. The way it was reported to me by someone who was supposedly there was he was teaching some avi techniques to about 10 other ski patrol. They were all at the "mini-bowl" that forms right at the end of the rock formation right under the Cascade lift. There was a cornice there, and he stomped on it several times to break it loose and it did not budge. He skied down to the bottom of the bowl and stopped to turn around to give some instruction to the other ski patrol. The cornice broke away and hit him hard. They dug him out in less than 5 minutes, but the snow was so heavy, and hit him so hard that it forced all the air out of his lungs and they say that he died almost instantly.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

J_Matic · Since 14 Oct 2011 158 Posts InDaHo Stoked

Fackin' hilarious dangler!

Just came across this little nugget: "Teton AmPASSador Jay Pistono stands next to the 10-12′ high avalanche path. If you were
to be caught in this slide, there is NO WAY (ABS?) you could possibly survive."

http://www.tetonat.com/2012/01/24/taylor-mountain-avalanche/

Dumbass intentionally set this Avy off into a terrain trap used by ascending skiers/boarders. Shiiitballs man, that's a huge effin' slide!

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

that's a great site -- a lot of videos. found this one with some incredible footage (yikes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ono1Hr5tos&feature=relmfu

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

If you want to see the impact of a big slide search around for the slide out of Heather last year. The scour out of the bottom at the terrain trap was close to 30 feet high. The debri at the bottom nearly took out the bottom of Heather chair. Crazy!!!

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

crazy for sure

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Fatality in Telluride sidecountry today, victim had beacon, avalung. & ABS but was riding alone. R.I.P.

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Northern San Juan

Issued: 02/14/2012 5:52 AM by Brian Lazar

We regret to report the 5th avalanche fatality in Colorado this season. Yesterday a backcountry snowboarder was killed in an avalanche in the Bear Creek drainage south of the town of Telluride. The avalanche occurred on an easterly slope that was below treeline. Our staff was in the area yesterday and will visit the accident site today. We will report more details as soon as possible. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of the victim. You can read media reports :
http://www.watchnewspapers.com/view/full_story/17518264/article-Avalanche-Kills-Sidecountry-Snowboarder-in-Contention?instance=top_story

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19957443
-------------------------------------------
The slide was violent and carried Nate through trees and over cliff bands.
His air bags were deflated by rips and his avalung was damaged. He sustained significant trauma to head and neck.

Avalanches can be bad for you, regardless of your equipment.
Good decision making, not equipment, is the key to avalanche safety

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

First you need to get there... For snowboarders that don't want to use a dam split..

http://mtnapproach.com/

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

[quote="genek"]

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Fair enough Ian, but there are so many good places you can shuttle with a sled if you know what you're doing (if you live in the right place that is). And even if you can't get all the way on a sled you'll often save hours by riding as far as you can.

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

I wanna know how the hell he found his skies after that Confused

1surfer · Sat Feb 18, 12 6:56 pm **Avalung death**

http://summitcountyvoice.com/2010/12/03/ski-patroller-was-wearing-avalung-when-killed-by-slide/

alankitesurf2 · Since 21 Jun 2006 81 Posts

Just got back from a heli trip last weekend in BC. The airbag backpacks were mandatory and not a option. The pull lever has a velcro safety for when you do not want it to accidently deploy{like in the heli}. Mainly keep you floating on top of the avi debri flow but some protection from trauma. Interesting to note the the guides almost never wear helmets,no avilungs but are totally sold on the airbag system. CMH offers them as a option but will likely require them as they have had a fatality this year without the use of a airbag and will be difficult to justify/defend their non-use in the future. The backpacks are non-bulky,light and the cost is really coming down.