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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    between campus and church
    Posts
    9,925

    Avy death at Conejos Peak - 3/4/14

    Condolences for all friends, family, and those that knew the victim. Short story - here

    CIAC investigation starts today.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Land of Brine Shrimp and Magic Underwear
    Posts
    6,760
    This was my Friend. He was a good one, very snow smart and was a guide in South America and 13 year pro patroller.

    Details are sketchy so not gonna post any more for now.
    There's nothing better than sliding down snow, and flying through the air

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    4,547
    the details usually are, sorry beater.
    b
    .

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    crown of the continent
    Posts
    13,947
    bummed for your loss beater.
    brutal year, and it ain't over yet...
    Something about the wrinkle in your forehead tells me there's a fit about to get thrown
    And I never hear a single word you say when you tell me not to have my fun
    It's the same old shit that I ain't gonna take off anyone.
    and I never had a shortage of people tryin' to warn me about the dangers I pose to myself.

    Patterson Hood of the DBT's

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    398
    Sorry man. Condolences.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    12,609
    Sorry for your loss Beater.
    Shit is hitting the fan all over the state. I'm usually not one for telling people to "stay safe out there" and all, that but this year is exceptionally bad. Stay safe out there folks.

    I hate when we lose anyone anymore, but really sucks when seasoned pros get taken out.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Bozeman, MT
    Posts
    99

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    you see a tie dye disc in there?
    Posts
    4,652
    sorry for the loss of your friend beater.... sucks bad. sounds like a great guy and will be missed by many. keep the good in the fore front of your mind and pass along the positive that he provided to you among others.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Maine Coast
    Posts
    4,681
    Seems to always hit harder when it is protroller. Condolences to all who he touched.
    Last edited by cat in january; 03-09-2014 at 02:04 PM.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Aloft
    Posts
    4,074
    Sucks. Isn't that the second WC patroller to get caught in like 3 years? Sad.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Posts
    36
    The WC trollers have a tremendous amount of expertise. To lose 2 from that small community in 3.5 years is a tough hit for sure. It is also indicative of the fact that it can happen to anyone, irrespective of how experienced you are.

    Prayers to his friends and family.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    the ex-Motor City
    Posts
    3,030
    And the rest of wc patrol. I can't imagine how somber the mood must be.

    +++ vibes
    "Those 1%ers are not an avaricious "them" but in reality the most entrepreneurial of "us". If we had more of them and fewer grandstanding politicians, we would all be better off."
    - Bradley Schiller, Prof. of Economics, Univ. Nevada - Reno.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    13

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Posts
    36
    We used to call that 'area fam'. Aka fee skiing on the clock in uni out of area. In the late 80's we'd run laps through the East Vail Chutes and have someone pick us up in one of the VA rigs. Good to learn the lay of the land, stay on top of conditions a little bit and fun, and an opportunity to do some education.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    CO
    Posts
    873
    Here's another write up just posted by Friends of CAIC:

    http://www.mtnadvisor.com/article/ri...roller/?id=373

    Vibes to the friends and family.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    303
    Posts
    102
    RIP Colin.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    8,290'
    Posts
    5,357
    terrible. vibes.
    Scott Kay and now this.
    www.freeridesystems.com
    ski & ride jackets made in colorado
    maggot discount code TGR20
    ok we'll come up with a solution by then makers....

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    13
    CAIC's final report is up for those interested:

    http://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/ac...inv&acc_id=531

    Condolences and vibes to friends, family and the Wolf Creek community!

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    70
    I read through the report and I still don't really understand what the patrollers were doing out there. Were they just skiing or was it recon work related to the resort? I'm not aware of a wolf creek heli op but that doesn't mean much. Shitty situation regardless of what they were doing.

    It seems this incident really highlights the low probability high consequence nature of the persistent slab problem. Victim was like the 7th person down the path over two days?? Crazy.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    9,356
    Quote Originally Posted by ballackout View Post
    I read through the report and I still don't really understand what the patrollers were doing out there. Were they just skiing or was it recon work related to the resort? I'm not aware of a wolf creek heli op but that doesn't mean much. Shitty situation regardless of what they were doing.

    It seems this incident really highlights the low probability high consequence nature of the persistent slab problem. Victim was like the 7th person down the path over two days?? Crazy.
    From one of the articles….RIP and vibes to the families.

    "On Tuesday, March 4th, Wolf Creek Ski Area Avalanche Technician and Senior Patroller Colin Sutton was caught in an avalanche while conducting an exploration and research mission via helicopter on Conejos Peak in the South San Juan Mountain Range"
    Terje was right.

    "We're all kooks to somebody else." -Shelby Menzel

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Amherst, Mass.
    Posts
    4,684
    http://unofficialnetworks.com/2014/0...-ski-patroller

    So civil fine for inadequate mitigation combined with criminal charges for unauthorized explosives mitigation?
    Mo' skimo here: NE Rando Race Series

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    1,488
    Quote Originally Posted by ballackout View Post
    I read through the report and I still don't really understand what the patrollers were doing out there. Were they just skiing or was it recon work related to the resort?
    This. I'm not trying to sling mud or blame WC for anything, but 'exploration and research mission' is pretty vague. Throw in Pitcher getting charged for not actually being allowed to bomb out of the resort, but it sounding like they did it 2-3 times and this whole thing sounds strange.

    Of course maybe the 'research and exploration' had large impacts on how they managed the snow in bounds? If so I guess it all makes sense.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    cb, co
    Posts
    5,035
    Wof Creek and Conejos Peak aren't exactly close (~15 miles), the S San Juan Wilderness is in between the two. The area around Conejos gets less snow than WC. From the Durango Herald article: “At one time, Wolf Creek had applied for helicopter skiing permits in different areas,” ski area owner Rosanne Pitcher said. “We try to stay in areas where the good snow is, and Conejos Peak is one of those. They were just kind of checking it out for the day.”

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Where the sheets have no stains
    Posts
    22,066
    Quote Originally Posted by benfjord View Post
    Of course maybe the 'research and exploration' had large impacts on how they managed the snow in bounds? If so I guess it all makes sense.
    Uh huh.

    Not slinging either. Over the years I was involved in several of these types of "research and exploration" missions. They are usually very fun, spur of the moment, poorly planned and when you look back on them probably not terribly safe.

    There are several incidents in Snowy Torrents like this that have taken the lives of ski patrollers in the past.

    Could be an entire chapter on this particular type of Heuristic trap.

    Shitty deal all the way round.
    I have been in this State for 30 years and I am willing to admit that I am part of the problem.

    "Happiest years of my life were earning < $8.00 and hour, collecting unemployment every spring and fall, no car, no debt and no responsibilities. 1984-1990 Park City UT"

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