Millcreek Canyon UT - 4 fatalities

[jackattack]

From the Wasatch thread.

Photos from the Gear Room's insta sent to UAC immediately before the accident.
One article I read said it involved a party of 3 and a party of 5. Gear Room's first pic shows 4+photographer.

Attachment 361664
Attachment 361665

Devastating, but this just screams hubris to me. To make such observations and then go ahead and ski avy terrain, way outside my acceptable risk. RIP

[east or bust]

Holy shit, this is literally nightmare-ish

[ill-advised strategy]

I’m so sorry you guys.

Just a thought:
If being safe means skiing moguls, giggle and think of this post and hot dog noodle some bumps just for me.
If being safe means liftlines, remember ol’ yetiman: tell jokes, talk trash, tell stories....make it fun!

Let’s all still be alive when the snowpack heals.

[TeleBlade]

I hadn't heard about the incident near Moab that was mentioned in the article. Snowy torrents link for that accident here for anyone who might be curious. https://www.snowytorrents.com/1990s/1992-2/92-5/

A last observation to mention about this accident is that of a simple action that can have a profound impact on consequences has to do with ski pole straps. Yates, Loveridge, Hopkins, Turk all had ski pole straps around their wrists. All died. Biegler’s and Meleski’s straps were off, and they survived. Wrist straps on ski poles (and ice axes for climbers) turn poles into anchors. Hands that are anchored cannot be used to create an airspace or claw away snow to self-rescue.

[powdork]

first thing I do with a new set of poles is remove the straps. lots of folks just use them on the ups but it seems quite possible in yesterday's accident that one of the parties was on the up. plus they look stupid flapping around on the down if they're still attached.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

first thing I do with a new set of poles is remove the straps. lots of folks just use them on the ups but it seems quite possible in yesterday's accident that one of the parties was on the up. plus they look stupid flapping around on the down if they're still attached.

Ditto on the straps.


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[Gunder]

first thing I do with a new set of poles is remove the straps. lots of folks just use them on the ups but it seems quite possible in yesterday's accident that one of the parties was on the up. plus they look stupid flapping around on the down if they're still attached.

Lots of the newer poles feature breakaway straps now. Or at least all the new Scott’s do.

[schindlerpiste]

I think that if you are relying on pole straps for the difference between life and death then you are really reaching. I agree that the straps keep you from swimming up hill, and act as an anchor as you are being buried, but you should never find yourself in that situation. Sorry. The most important thing is making decisions that place you far from harm's way. Don't travel up hill in a place where it is likely (or even possible) to slide above you. Stay near the tree line. If your ascent is out in the open and below a 35 degree N facing slope, go someplace else. Think of the potential consequences that your route presents before embarking. Don't ski on N, NE, NW facing 30 degree+ aspects when the avalanche center tells you to avoid these ares. This is what I mean by risk tolerance. I am espousing my own personal thoughts and people have different tolerances of risk. I would imagine that if 100 people die in slides in the intermountain west, people will still tour in hazardous conditions. It's human nature. Given the conditions, people are making hasty decisions to ride fresh pow. Many seasoned bc skiers are saying to dial it back. I say fuck the bc right now. I'm glad that I am happy staying inbounds and finding stashes in the trees. The Bird, Alta, PowMow, DV and even PC have been skiing great for the past week. Most of the tragedies are happening on weekend days. I will skin on mellow 25-28 degree slopes and for so many reasons, 99% of my skiing will be done M-F.

[powdork]

It's weird you have a low tolerance for risk but scoff at something that obviously helps to reduce risk. By your line of thinking there's no reason to even beep.

[Bunion 2020]

RE: Straps.

I have 1 set of poles. I removed the straps for patrol work, I tour with those poles as well. Its just good practice to remove the straps or have good break-ways if you must have the straps. You are not wrong though, that should not be a margin between living and dying.

Sorry for all the bad shit down there.

[glademaster]

Having tried both ways at home, I can also say that it is clumsier to pull the trigger on an airbag while you have a pole strapped to your wrist. Anyway, pole straps in the backcountry is another discussion for a different thread.

[Meadow Skipper]

Fuck, fuck, fuck...

[Danno]

How awful. RIP to those lost. Everyone else, please stay safe.

[rod9301]

I think that if you are relying on pole straps for the difference between life and death then you are really reaching. I agree that the straps keep you from swimming up hill, and act as an anchor as you are being buried, but you should never find yourself in that situation. Sorry. The most important thing is making decisions that place you far from harm's way. Don't travel up hill in a place where it is likely (or even possible) to slide above you. Stay near the tree line. If your ascent is out in the open and below a 35 degree N facing slope, go someplace else. Think of the potential consequences that your route presents before embarking. Don't ski on N, NE, NW facing 30 degree+ aspects when the avalanche center tells you to avoid these ares. This is what I mean by risk tolerance. I am espousing my own personal thoughts and people have different tolerances of risk. I would imagine that if 100 people die in slides in the intermountain west, people will still tour in hazardous conditions. It's human nature. Given the conditions, people are making hasty decisions to ride fresh pow. Many seasoned bc skiers are saying to dial it back. I say fuck the bc right now. I'm glad that I am happy staying inbounds and finding stashes in the trees. The Bird, Alta, PowMow, DV and even PC have been skiing great for the past week. Most of the tragedies are happening on weekend days. I will skin on mellow 25-28 degree slopes and for so many reasons, 99% of my skiing will be done M-F.

Right

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[tBatt]

I think that if you are relying on pole straps for the difference between life and death then you are really reaching.

Not that it would have likely changed the outcome, but the Squaretop fatality report mentioned that the victim was wearing a polestrap and that was the deepest buried part of his body. When his partner was trying to recover him, he exposed his face but was not able to pull the body out of the snow/begin CPR for a few minutes because he had to continue digging to get to the arm/pole strap removed.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

I'd harp on my friends all the time about their straps in avy terrain, And tree skiing to a lesser extent, and they would roll their eyes about it, but its deadly serious.

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[tBatt]

Names released.
https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news...rush-to-scene/

All in their 20s. Absolutely heartbreaking.

[TeleBlade]

Lots of the newer poles feature breakaway straps now. Or at least all the new Scott’s do.

Kerma has had breakaway straps for probably 50 years. Nobody else did so figured it was patented. Good to hear about Scott poles.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

I'd harp on my friends all the time about their straps in avy terrain, And tree skiing to a lesser extent, and they would roll their eyes about it, but its deadly serious.

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Yurt owner in the Wallowa in OR wouldn’t let you start a trip with straps on your poles


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[snowaddict91]

I haven't talked to him or seen him post in a while, but it looks like straightlineorbust was one of the fatalities. Didn't know him well at all but we skied together at the Bird a few times. RIP.

[Briangle]

Condolences to everyone affected by this

[Ottime]

Yeah. Condolences. Shitty news.

[yeahman]

That is just heartbreaking. Young men and women in the prime of life, out enjoying a day in the mountains. RIP

[wra]

Someone asked me after the first slide in the glade if I had ever seen it slide before. My response was "yes, many times and I doubt it's over, there".



Not a prophet. Plenty left in the chutes, Alexander Basin pass, only pockets in Toot Suite and to boot. Soldier hasn't slid, the snow pack is hollow.
What a tragedy, so young.
BTW, the skin track is placed to the looker's right of the last piece of crown(learned after more than one close encounter).

[homemadesalsa]

Someone asked me after the first slide in the glade if I had ever seen it slide before. My response was "yes, many times and I doubt it's over, there".



Not a prophet. Plenty left in the chutes, Alexander Basin pass, only pockets in Toot Suite and to boot. Soldier hasn't slid, the snow pack is hollow.
What a tragedy, so young.
BTW, the skin track is placed to the looker's right of the last piece of crown(learned after more than one close encounter).

Thanks @wra. Nice to hear from you. You of anyone should know about Alexander Basin. I have been devastated since I heard about this last night. It violates my mission statement of helping people not die in avalanches. So sorry, Wasatch folks.