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Avalanche
- Thread starter shnu
- Start date
MaineSkiLady
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Wow---for this individual to have written such a detailed account so soon afterward....hats off to him and to all for their huge efforts. With condolences to Heather's family and all who knew her....
Such a tragedy....
Such a tragedy....
Slidergirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
There was another avalanche that day, over in the backcountry off of The Canyons resort in Park City. One person was injured and airlifted out, but fortunately he will recover. His friends were unhurt. It was a sad start to the season, though.
There is a lot of analysis going on right now on the avalanche control procedure that went on that day at Snowbird. But, it does go to show that, regardless of avalanche control, avalanches can occur.
There is a lot of analysis going on right now on the avalanche control procedure that went on that day at Snowbird. But, it does go to show that, regardless of avalanche control, avalanches can occur.
I REALLY hope that people are staying out of the backcountry today. This is one of the worst avy forecasts I've seen.
https://utahavalanchecenter.org/advisory/slc
"Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent. Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Notice:
LARGE NATURAL AVALANCHES HAVE OCCURRED AND WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR IN STEEP TERRAIN AT THE MID AND UPPER ELEVATIONS. HUMAN TRIGGERED AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY AND POTENTIALLY FATAL. THOSE WITHOUT EXCELLENT AVALANCHE SKILLS ARE URGED TO AVOID THE BACKCOUNTRY.
Recent Activity: The Provo Mountains shed much of their skin yesterday during the heavy snowfall as many slopes approaching 40 degrees released naturally. UDOT in Provo closed SR-92 to Sundance for some time as even the lower elevation slopes avalanched. Two naturals released yesterday in the Salt Lake mountains: one off the backside of Clayton Peak near Brighton and the other in West Monitor bowl along the Park City Ridgeline – but these pale in comparison to both the skier triggered activity in the backcountry and explosive control work within the ski areas. We had one close call reportedly off the back of Clayton Peak in the Brighton backcountry as a snowmobiler, side-hilling low on the slope, triggered a large slide that buried him partially and his sled completely. Three other significant slides were triggered remotely (west ridge off 10,420' in upper BCC - see Evelyn's excellent gallery/analysis, two in north facing West Bowl of Silver Fork , and another near Pioneer Peak in the Brighton backcountry Many photos have come in - click photos on the bar to your left). Control teams in at least Big Cottonwood and along the Park City ridgeline remotely triggered numerous slides and cleaned out many of their starting zones, initiating full depth slides up to 3-4' deep and 600' wide. Understated, as always, a good friend managing control efforts at one of the ski areas said, 'seems like it was going off.' This was after having produced a mile and a half of crown lines."
Keep in mind that on the day that the two avalanches (the one that killed Heather at Snowbird and the other one near the Canyons that required a life flight) happened - the conditions were low at lower elevations with moderate risk at higher elevations on most aspects.
https://utahavalanchecenter.org/advisory/slc
"Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent. Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Notice:
LARGE NATURAL AVALANCHES HAVE OCCURRED AND WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR IN STEEP TERRAIN AT THE MID AND UPPER ELEVATIONS. HUMAN TRIGGERED AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY AND POTENTIALLY FATAL. THOSE WITHOUT EXCELLENT AVALANCHE SKILLS ARE URGED TO AVOID THE BACKCOUNTRY.
Recent Activity: The Provo Mountains shed much of their skin yesterday during the heavy snowfall as many slopes approaching 40 degrees released naturally. UDOT in Provo closed SR-92 to Sundance for some time as even the lower elevation slopes avalanched. Two naturals released yesterday in the Salt Lake mountains: one off the backside of Clayton Peak near Brighton and the other in West Monitor bowl along the Park City Ridgeline – but these pale in comparison to both the skier triggered activity in the backcountry and explosive control work within the ski areas. We had one close call reportedly off the back of Clayton Peak in the Brighton backcountry as a snowmobiler, side-hilling low on the slope, triggered a large slide that buried him partially and his sled completely. Three other significant slides were triggered remotely (west ridge off 10,420' in upper BCC - see Evelyn's excellent gallery/analysis, two in north facing West Bowl of Silver Fork , and another near Pioneer Peak in the Brighton backcountry Many photos have come in - click photos on the bar to your left). Control teams in at least Big Cottonwood and along the Park City ridgeline remotely triggered numerous slides and cleaned out many of their starting zones, initiating full depth slides up to 3-4' deep and 600' wide. Understated, as always, a good friend managing control efforts at one of the ski areas said, 'seems like it was going off.' This was after having produced a mile and a half of crown lines."
Keep in mind that on the day that the two avalanches (the one that killed Heather at Snowbird and the other one near the Canyons that required a life flight) happened - the conditions were low at lower elevations with moderate risk at higher elevations on most aspects.
shnu
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Unfortunately 5 people died due to avalanche in the last 6 days in the alps. Media says that most of them were "slope skiers" who just want to try a ride in the bc, without knowledge of the the snow conditions and which effect the warm weather had on it in the last days. They also said, that they had no beacon. Of course I don't know if that is true, but I definitely can imagine.
alaski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Reading further accounts of that accident make it very apparent that organized rescue and formal rescue training is vital in situations like that. To have clues visible on the scene and not have them left in place or articulated to the ski patrol is really tragic. Anyone skiing in avalanche terrain should know better.
Telluride Ski Babe
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Avalanche conditions are surreal...
We've had two IN-BOUNDS avalanches in the last week or so. No one was caught in the first, but three skiers were caught in the second. Thankfully, none were injured. And, both of these slides happened despite a significant amount of avy control work.
As the paper described the snow..."Heavy recent storms falling on a slick base layer have turned the mountains into what might be described as a tilted glass coffee table covered in potato chips, upon which loose bricks have been placed: a typical San Juan recipe for disaster."
Experts are now recommending anyone skiing steep in-bounds terrain should carry a beacon, shovel and probe.
It's potentially very dangerous out there...and our forecast is for more and more snow. Be careful everyone!
We've had two IN-BOUNDS avalanches in the last week or so. No one was caught in the first, but three skiers were caught in the second. Thankfully, none were injured. And, both of these slides happened despite a significant amount of avy control work.
As the paper described the snow..."Heavy recent storms falling on a slick base layer have turned the mountains into what might be described as a tilted glass coffee table covered in potato chips, upon which loose bricks have been placed: a typical San Juan recipe for disaster."
Experts are now recommending anyone skiing steep in-bounds terrain should carry a beacon, shovel and probe.
It's potentially very dangerous out there...and our forecast is for more and more snow. Be careful everyone!
alaski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Even if people do carry safety equipment, it is really important to be able to know how to use it as well!
A few weeks ago a local woman was buried 5-6 feet deep by an avalanche. Luckily her partners had good rescue skills and got her out unharmed. That is some serious good luck and good preparation.
A few weeks ago a local woman was buried 5-6 feet deep by an avalanche. Luckily her partners had good rescue skills and got her out unharmed. That is some serious good luck and good preparation.
Slidergirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
More avalanches in Utah
There have been more avalanches here in the past 2 days. Yesterday, someone skied under the ropes at Park City and started a small slide down Pioneer. Fortunately, no one was in it. But, the culprit didn't report, so the Mountain Patrol and dogs had to waste time checking for people.
There was an in-bounds slide at Solitude today. Again, fortunately, no one was caught.
Finally, there was a huge avalanche up Providence Canyon, a backcountry area in Northern Utah. 4 snowmobilers were up there, started the slide. 2 of the folks were caught in the slide and unfortunately did not survive.
So, PLEASE!!! be careful, even in-bounds at local resorts. Right now, the avalanche forecast center is asking folks to stay out of the backcountry. With another storm coming tomorrow through Friday afternoon, it's only going to get worse.
There have been more avalanches here in the past 2 days. Yesterday, someone skied under the ropes at Park City and started a small slide down Pioneer. Fortunately, no one was in it. But, the culprit didn't report, so the Mountain Patrol and dogs had to waste time checking for people.
There was an in-bounds slide at Solitude today. Again, fortunately, no one was caught.
Finally, there was a huge avalanche up Providence Canyon, a backcountry area in Northern Utah. 4 snowmobilers were up there, started the slide. 2 of the folks were caught in the slide and unfortunately did not survive.
So, PLEASE!!! be careful, even in-bounds at local resorts. Right now, the avalanche forecast center is asking folks to stay out of the backcountry. With another storm coming tomorrow through Friday afternoon, it's only going to get worse.
shnu
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I totally agree!!
Unfortunately an american skier (from New York) was burried by an avalanceh on 24 December on the Arlberg (Valluga). He was on a tour with a group that was leaded by a local guide from Lech. Of course they were all equiped with a beacon and found the man after about 30 minutes, after he was carried down 600 m down by the avalanche. Sadly he was injured very badly (due to 2 rocks) and had no chance.
Slidergirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Another slide at Park City
We had a slide off of Jupiter peak this morning. Fortunately, the area was closed and no one was stupid enough today to jump the ropes.
And, I had people complain to me in the lift line about bowls not being open today
We had a slide off of Jupiter peak this morning. Fortunately, the area was closed and no one was stupid enough today to jump the ropes.
And, I had people complain to me in the lift line about bowls not being open today
Sheena
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I was at the grocery store on Wed morning, and saw the rescue heli flying over head. I initially thought it may have been at Beaver Mt (resort close to Logan), but checked on line when I got home and found out about the avalanche. Both of the victims were in their early 20s. Incredibly sad.
I have signed up for the Avy 1 class with my husband next month.
SkiNurse
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I have friends that have been big back country skiers for the last 20 years and have always carried the "necessary" equipment.
I remember when I first moved out to Colorado in '91 and they were talkiong about their experiences skiing Berthoud, Loveland, Leadville areas and doing the hut trips. I was enthralled by their stories cuz in California I didn't know anyone that did stuff this crazy!
The one thing that they have said that has always stuck with me, is that they realize that their equipment won't necessarily save their lives, but will at least hopefully allow recovery so their families don't have to wait until spring.
That really got me...as it should anyone that ventures out.
I remember when I first moved out to Colorado in '91 and they were talkiong about their experiences skiing Berthoud, Loveland, Leadville areas and doing the hut trips. I was enthralled by their stories cuz in California I didn't know anyone that did stuff this crazy!
The one thing that they have said that has always stuck with me, is that they realize that their equipment won't necessarily save their lives, but will at least hopefully allow recovery so their families don't have to wait until spring.
That really got me...as it should anyone that ventures out.
