1211 Alpental

PaddedSeats loaded @9:30 to an open l'international followed later by some snake dance action. No trumped up report necessary, you guys know the story by now. some great people, ez ski in ski out parking, powder snow.

Today was great - 10" new on top of yesterday's leftovers and much less competition for a padded seat on chair 2. While everyone was busy going top-to-bottom I put in some work and hammered-out upper mountain laps getting fresh lap after fresh lap until I decided to head down for lunch and likely call it a day. I noticed a lot of folks headed out Snake Dance on my way down and was pleased to discover it had opened. Lunch was put on hold and I headed back up for more. However, on my last lap through the zone ~2:30pm I encountered a terrible scene - someone had dropped off the traverse and ended-up buried next to a tree. Patrol was working to resuscitate the victim but the outcome was as unfortunate as can be :'(

komonews.com/news/local/authorities-snoq...ce-down-in-snow-dies

Hi friends, I can't even tell you how much I miss everyone and being there with you.

This is sad though. Damn.

Patrol was working to resuscitate the victim but the outcome was as unfortunate as can be :'(

komonews.com/news/local/authorities-snoq...ce-down-in-snow-dies

.....the rest of the story is rather sad.

Afternoon vis was rough up top and nothing was smooth, I figured the ambulances were helping with broke some bones but never assumed something that sad

A roof let go Sat night at summit west burying a teenager, who was recovered. We saw them probing the debris for anyone else. It's deep out there.

A roof let go Sat night at summit west burying a teenager, who was recovered.  We saw them probing the debris for anyone else.  It's deep out there.

Sad indeed.

In other news, word is said teenager was up on the roof and triggered...

Damn, I heard those shouts for help from the victim's partner and was ready to assist when I encountered another group coming back along the traverse who said there was no need. Right after that Patrol came ripping by and asked us to move along.

Sorry to belabor the issue, but which traverse? This accident causes me to reflect on my safety in general and specifically about skiing solo. Perhaps I'll ski with my avalung pack on deep days. Such sad news.

Bruce

Oh. Re-read the earlier post. Snake dance traverse. Got fresh tracks there skiing with a couple of patrollers and I commented about the high risk of deep snow immersion yesterday. Thoughts going out to the skier's family.

Went through Snake Dance at about the same time very sad. Updated report from and old patroller.

More Patroller report: The guy was on Snake Dance traverse then started to drop into Felsen. Ended up face first next to tree and buddy was right behind him. The guy was yelling and obviously alive when more help arrived. But then he just went grey, eyes rolled up. Thinking the guy may have had a heart attack or heart rhythm went haywire.