Near death experience: caught by an avy

**KANUTTEN** · 03-31-2006, 11:25 AM

So I was in Berner Oberland touring with my buddy Richard. On the second day we decided to skin up the Kranzberg (at 3800m +-). The general avvy forecast for the area was 2, so we figured everything would be relatively safe. When we reached about 3500 we heard some of those not so good thumping sounds from the snow. Not stable. But the angle was probably not more than 20-25 degrees at that point, so no real danger. When we arrived right below the top, the steepness increased to about 45 degrees, but only for about 10-15 meters. We stood under the top part, and I said; "I think this could come off". Well, we could either traverse 50 meters to the left and take a ridge line that should be safe, or we could go 50 meters to the right and go on a slightly less steep part. We discussed back and forth, but concluded that the side was so little that it prolly wouldn't be a big problem if it came off (how fucking stupid is it possible to be

).

Richard skinned up the face, and when he was almost on top it came off. It released for probably 70 meters wide. Slab avy; the whole puzzle pattern instantly came across the whole face. My first thought; turn around and get as far away as possible. I took about one step before the avy shook me off my feet, and i fell backwards head down. Next second it was a ton of snow sliding on top of my face. Next second again it all turned to cement. I was completely covered, couldn't move, had no airpocket in front of my mouth. Panick!!!! 200 in hearthrate, and hyperventilated as hell (the air that wasn't there). Tried to calm myself down, with some success. Tried to get my hand in front to my mouth; no chance. New panick attack. Now all the thoughts are more hazy; but I new my only chance was that Richard would not have been taken by this avvy. It takes too fucking long!!! Why isn't he here? Then a feeling of resignation. I am probably gonna die. Thought of my girlfriend and family. And then it is just very hazy. Unconsciousness.

Then I realize there is some movement some place around me. I try to make a sound. It takes some more time, and I realise I am found. And then, after having hit me in the head with his shovel, Richard clears my face from snow. And I can breathe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My whole chest is in pain, but I am alive.... Some more digging, and finally I can get up on my feet. I speak continously - shaken up seriously - then hugging Richard. And finally the long and very exhausting trip back to the hut.

I was under for 10 minutes Richard tells me. He had almost been covered in the same avy, but ended up with only his lower legs being covered. He had waited for me to help release him, but realised I was the one who needed help. Just pure luck that he was in better shape than I was in.

Without a doubt the most horrific experience in my life.

Be careful out there!!!

**fez** · 03-31-2006, 11:26 AM

shit dude, glad to hear you are ok.

**runethechamp** · 03-31-2006, 11:28 AM

Så inni ho Gammel Erik i det rødeste helvete. Han steike, han tykje han satan i helvete. Førbainnade jævelskap, helvete satan, helvete tykjilort, førbainnade helvete også det va no tykjen no det her. Satan og helvete han tykji-Ola.

Happy it ended well. That deserved some well thought out Norwegian cursing.

**Big E** · 03-31-2006, 11:32 AM

Geez, glad you guys are alright. Good work by your bud to find you, you were completely buried?

**klar** · 03-31-2006, 11:32 AM

very glad you are ok.

BLOODSWEATSTEEL · 03-31-2006, 11:35 AM

De god vervloek! Dat is sommige serieus vluchtige drollen! Ik ben blij u kerels maakten hem uit levend! FKNA!

....And a little Dutch. FYI; "FKNA" doesn't really translate.

**Tippster** · 03-31-2006, 11:36 AM

HOLY CRAP! Glad you're OK!

Side question: What kind of beacon was he using, or did he spot you visually?

**ubertele** · 03-31-2006, 11:38 AM

Damn that is scary. Glad to hear you both made it out ok.

**KillingCokes** · 03-31-2006, 11:41 AM

WOW!!!! Really glad you're ok. You should buy a lottery ticket.

Instead of second guessing or whatever, I'll ask a question or two.

What did you learn from this?
How can it help you in the BC in the future?

Do you have any pics of the area/crown?

**Trackhead** · 03-31-2006, 11:45 AM

Glad you survived.

And THANK YOU for sharing your story so everyone can continue to learn and be aware.

**Cyber Cop** · 03-31-2006, 11:50 AM

Damn, scary as hell. Glad you made it brother.

**Magnoe** · 03-31-2006, 11:53 AM

Glad you are ok. Makes my heart race reading about it.

How deep were you buried?

**PNWbrit** · 03-31-2006, 11:55 AM

Glad you're o.k.

Truly terrifying knowing that your buddy and only hope of rescue was also caught.

**LeeLau** · 03-31-2006, 11:59 AM

Thanks Kanutten. Appreciate you sharing

**truth** · 03-31-2006, 11:59 AM

Damn, you're a lucky mofo. Glad you're here to write the tale.

Did he use a tranceiver to find you?

**RootSkier** · 03-31-2006, 12:01 PM

Wow. Always good to read reminders of why we should listen to the little voices in our head. Glad it all worked out.

Well...at least about snow stability.

**pechelman** · 03-31-2006, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by KillingCokes

WOW!!!! Really glad you're ok. You should buy a lottery ticket.

Instead of second guessing or whatever, I'll ask a question or two.

What did you learn from this?
How can it help you in the BC in the future?

Do you have any pics of the area/crown?

I think this is what he learned...

Originally Posted by KANUTTEN

Well, we could either traverse 50 meters to the left and take a ridge line that should be safe, or we could go 50 meters to the right and go on a slightly less steep part. We discussed back and forth, but concluded that the side was so little that it prolly wouldn't be a big problem if it came off (how fucking stupid is it possible to be :fuckyou.

I think I read that like 3 times before continuing on with your post.
In my head;
"They said what?! Wait a minute, gonna reread that. WHAT!"

very glad youre ok

**Powdurr** · 03-31-2006, 12:09 PM

Fuck, mang.

**H-man** · 03-31-2006, 12:16 PM

Glad you made it dude. Close call. Good reminder for us all of what can happen from a momentary loss of judgement. I bet that 50 meters seems like nothing now....

**skier_guy** · 03-31-2006, 12:18 PM

holly crap thank god for your friend. its a good thing that your here to tell the tale.

**Hutch** · 03-31-2006, 12:22 PM

Thanks for sharing. Glad you're ok.

**Tectonically_Neglected** · 03-31-2006, 12:23 PM

Close one! Glad to hear you're still with us and willing to share the experience.

Originally Posted by BLOODSWEATSTEEL

De god vervloek! Dat is sommige serieus vluchtige drollen! Ik ben blij u kerels maakten hem uit levend! FKNA!

....And a little Dutch. FYI; "FKNA" doesn't really translate.

WTF is that? I am dutch and that makes no sense at all. And FYI, I don't think KANUTTEN is dutch.

**hucksquaw** · 03-31-2006, 12:33 PM

good story and writeup - glad to hear your ok.

**UNIBONGER** · 03-31-2006, 12:49 PM

GLAD YOU ARE ALIVE ,HOMEBOY
THATS SOME SCARRY SHIT
that experience will help you make good choices in the future
i can relate to this tr as i was recently hosed in a big slide too http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ight=unibonger

one of the biggest avy fatality years on record in europe

ski/ride safe everyone and get you some freshies!!!

**bbirtle** · 03-31-2006, 01:06 PM

Whoa! A little too close to home... I was nearly with these guys and waffled at the last minute.

Glad to hear you're ok, Kanutten. Holy hell that's scary.

Any photos of the thing? And yeah, any lessons learned would be good to hear. Was the slope wind loaded? If not, where did the instability come from?

Good reminder that bc is dangerous as well that even a small slope can be deadly.

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