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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Sandy
    Posts
    5,151

    Unlikely survivors: What a violent avalanche says about risk in the backcountry

    When life gives you haters, make haterade.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    2,622
    Jesus. What a shitty situation that turned out remarkably well.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    SW CO
    Posts
    5,588
    Just crazy! Thanks for posting.

    This is why continental snowpack scares the bejeezus out of me.
    "Alpine rock and steep, deep powder are what I seek, and I will always find solace there." - Bean Bowers

    photos

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Where the sheets have no stains
    Posts
    22,066
    Avalanche outcomes are so freak.

    November 2006

    Terrain in a Ski Area not open yet for the season. Lift Maint. crew doing construction on a new lift watched a skier trigger a 40 degree wind loaded slope and take a 1000' foot ride including down through a deep narrows that goes from a planar face to 20' deep and from 100 feet wide to 15 feet wide.

    I showed up about 10-15 minutes later, guy had dug himself out and was just fine. His 3 year old black lab was on the slope about 35 feet above him when the slope failed and may have been the trigger. From what I could tell that dog thought it was the best thing he had ever done and he was ready to go back up and have another go.Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by bunion; 03-12-2017 at 07:49 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    I-70 West
    Posts
    4,684
    Quote Originally Posted by bunion View Post
    Avalanche outcomes are so freak.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    They really are.

    This traveler made it out fine:
    http://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/ob...p?obs_id=45297
    That is a long line to take a ride down.

    This one did not:
    http://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/ac...inv&acc_id=431
    Just a little rinky dink gully.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Colorado Front Range
    Posts
    4,644
    Quote Originally Posted by auvgeek View Post
    Just crazy! Thanks for posting.

    This is why continental snowpack scares the bejeezus out of me.
    It sure keeps me on flat terrain.

    ... Thom
    Galibier Design
    crafting technology in service of music

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Call-A-Rad-Bro
    Posts
    201
    these 2 reports side by side make an excellent point about the need to keep your guard up even in what appears lower risk terrain...a great reminder that even small terrain features need attention paid and that the dragon can lurk where least expected.

    Quote Originally Posted by hatchgreenchile View Post
    They really are.

    This traveler made it out fine:
    http://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/ob...p?obs_id=45297
    That is a long line to take a ride down.

    This one did not:
    http://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/ac...inv&acc_id=431
    Just a little rinky dink gully.

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