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Topic: February 19, 2012, Crystal BC Avalanche Burial (Read 8115 times)
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rlsg
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Posts: 172
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Thanks for the frank discussion, glad every one is ok.
Some things I try to keep in mind to hopefully keep out slides (been in one so hopefully I learned my lessons..): many fatalities happen in slides of 250' or less so I take no small slope terrain trap with a grain of salt; some sight says there are always places to ski safely when the raitings/warnings are high--I tell my self that there are places --localized places-not to ski when the warnings are LOW..loading can be very localized and for that reason I don't drop my guard even though some center has said that things are rated low; even if a pit or compression test etc. suggests stability, I try to remember that that info is just one of the many tools in my so called bucket of information and so I will not soly (sp? sorry) depend on that test information; before I ski any slope, in general I try to ski cut it as high as possible then if it slides I will be pretty glad I did not just go ahead and jump into this slope prior; you are so right about a slope sliding sometimes after somebody had laid tracks down it..yikes..
Even at ski area, on some slopes we will even keep our spacing pretty far apart--for expample traversing out on a slope to get freshies...why not.
In a group I always hope that we don't just meet at the bottom of some slope that has or has not slid...who is going to look for us if we are all burried?
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allyson
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Posts: 233
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You have done the community a great service and continued a precedent started by Marcus with the Phantom slide. Too many incidents get unreported out of embarrassment. There is great appreciation for this kind of imformation being shared.
much agreed. this is a situation i think that many of us can relate to on multiple levels, and i really appreciate your honesty and thoughts in hindsight. glad you all made it out ok, and thanks a lot for sharing.
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snowshoe?? why would you??
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ashcan
5Member
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Posts: 46
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Thanks for posting this report. It has given me a lot to think about.
Can anybody tell me how steep the slopes are that slid?
I've never skied that area and know that pics can be deceptive.
Thanks. This discussion and the Weak Layers section are a great resource.
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nedski
5Member
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Posts: 19
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Can anybody tell me how steep the slopes are that slid?
My guess is the 1st one rolls from 27ish degrees to 32ish. It is a near constant concern back there. Have had it go on me a time or two. I was never carried. The 2nd one...34 max? Now I gotta go measure them. Glad all are safe!
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runcle
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Posts: 135
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Thanks for sharing this.
I will be thinking about this post next time I venture into "familiar turf." That photo of Ms. P standing in the pit she was buried in is sobering. Glad you are all safe!
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MW88888888
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Posts: 419
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I was totally gripped. Thanks for sharing.
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pin!head
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Posts: 229
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Z, Went skiing with Buck last night and he told of your story. Glad things worked out!
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Chamois
5Member
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Posts: 56
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Thanks so much for the report - we can all learn something from this. And so glad you folks dodged it. Here is a sobering column test in the same area: http://vimeo.com/37542023
For what it is worth - here's some things I think about on trips:
I print out a copy of the NWAC report and bring it with me. It forces a trailhead discussion with the group - what is our plan? And you need to check in through out the day.
Everyone gets a parking lot beacon check - must have at least 75% battery power.
Everyone must carry a probe, shovel, beacon - or else I'm not sking with them. It's my ass I'm counting on them to find quickly and dig out.
Practice, Practice, Practice. At least once a month - shake out your equipment and storage of probe and shovel. Time is crucial. Get the probes with the bungie connections - they whip out fast.
Dig pits even when avy conditions are low - you'll more easily be able to connect historic conditions with field reviews.
Communicate regularly on how the day is shaping up with your orginal plan. Best to change and ski safely for a long time.
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Stugie
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Posts: 925
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I've always avoided that area every since we lost the three guys, Kevin, Devlin and Philip....just a bad vibe in that area and I don't like it.
An avy while skinning has always been one of my fears
Ditto Scotsman, and I got a scary reminder of that on Sunday. We were out in Bullion, we skinned the low saddle and I gingerly and cautiously approached the ridgeline to look into Union Creek. Despite my initial caution, the peaks across the valley looked enticing. I skinned forward a couple of inches as if that would enhance the view more and *woopf*. A shooting fracture about 20' long went down the ridge as I jumped backwards falling back into the skin track. I watched the enormous cornice begin tumbling and taking a fresh 8" layer of snow off the top until it all exploded in a grove of trees about 50' down slope. I shouldn't at all of been surprised, given the weather and previous recorded winds.
Point being, thank you for sharing zenom. We all assume the risk and measure the rewards to the consequences when we click in and begin to ascend. I'm glad you guys all walked out of there. Your reasoning for being over there was totally understandable - the peaks across the way you were all at had some lines that looked mighty tasty!
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"The mountains are not stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals; the houses where I practice my religion." - Anatoli Boukreev
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CookieMonster
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Posts: 500
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There really isn't any safe terrain in Union Creek. It's a very deceptive area because it's "middle ground" terrain. Not super dangerous, right?
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DenisSeattle
5Member
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Posts: 7
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That day 4 of us skied Mazama Ridge from Narada Falls to Paradise as part of a ski patrol group. Given the gloomy danger rose for that weekend, we avoided steeper runs and descended from 5800' at Fourth Crossing.
The next day 2/20 we stuck to the front country due to deteriorating conditions including rain. That appears to have been when that elevation was transitioning from human-triggered to natural slide potential.
A week later 2/27 I skied Fourth Crossing again and saw the crowns and debris on almost all of those slopes my group had avoided 8 days earlier. The number of natural slides was impressive. Between those trips the slopes were having a block party. Without us.
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AT: "aprés telemark"
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