Avalanche Stories

[RXN]

I have never been in or involved in an avalanche (Thankfully) and I hope never to be.

As the sport gets bigger and sleds get better, we are starting to see more and more quick videos of guys in slides, yet never really knowing the full story. How it happened, Where it happened, the mistakes made to end up in it. Were there tell tale signs before hand, stuff like that. Also that after affects. the holy $h!t factor.

We take training courses and carry the gear to help us in these situations, but how prepared are we really if something does happen? is it like training at work? where you pass the theory in hope never to encounter the incident then end up like a deer caught in the head lights when the unexpected happens? Or does the training kick in and flawlessly prevails?

Any one ever get that gut feeling before something happens and didn't listen to it? or maybe chose to listen and it saved them?

Just wondering what survival stories are out there?

What advice or tips can be given from those involved?

 

[Shadam]

oh where do I start ...

over 1000 days of playin in the mtns in 10 seasons ... and not ski reosrts ...

many slides, 2meter deep crowns.

only 1 real burial, 3/4 buried and it was a skier and words cant describe how bizarre it was ...

trust your gut and walk away ...

or THINK !!!

LISTEN TO THE MTNS ... mother nature will tell you wot you can and can't do ...

but are you listening or drinking beer ???

 

[Weirboondocking]

Don't be afraid to speak up within your group because you may see something that others have missed.

We (my regular riding partners) play way on the safe side most days and always talk about what we see, I think every group should do this. even if you all have been riding for years or not. Talking about that sun on the face, or loading or what ever you see and hear keeps everyone in the habit of observing.


I think some of the clips we se deserve a follow up. Close calls seem to show up a lot on here and youtube, some of them seem obviously prone others not as much. I hope that these riders see how close they came, and share there mistakes. At very least I hope that they report the incident to

Report an incident : Bulletins : Canadian Avalanche Centre : avalanche.ca

Doing this can help the observation teams that do our forecasting.


Play safe

 

[kgb117]

I've been involved in one avalanche snowboarding. Let me tell you everything happens really fast but really slow in your head. As soon the adrenaline kicks in you go into survival mode. I recommend one of those inflatable avy packs.

 

[moyiesledhead]

Here's the one that tried to kill me a few years ago now. A low snow year like this one. In fact so low that the only reason I was on the snow that broke loose was because I was trying to go around the rocks below it. Didn't realise it was all wind loaded about 6 feet deep. Should have though, in retrospect. Sled went off the front of the slide, while I got launched off the right side. You can see where my body landed and slid in the 3rd pic. I always find it interesting how you can still see my sled tracks across the slide made while the slide was moving. Three cracked ribs from contacting the bars, some broken sled parts, and a huge respect for mother nature from that day forward.

 

[OOC ZigZag]

Had a sitch last year at Mcderm. Tell ya over cheers. Have fun at Mcbride play safe shes setup but anything goes for any new and you guys are heading to heavy snowfall warning. I owe all 3 ya kick in the junk. Have fun

 

[Calg_Rider]

Just finished the Level 1 AST training with Zacs Tracs last weekend and for the me the 3 things that sunk in where 1) Always try to learn more about the subject 2) Practice Practice Practice and 3) Ride with others willing to do the same including investing a little time for the beacon tests, snow checks etc. The equipment is an absolute necessity but without the ability to use it well its just dead weight.

I will likely take Zacs up on the refresher field course discount next year to keep my skills up to speed and catch any new concepts.

 

[RXN]

Last time I took an avy coarse was 16years ago. I am beyond over due to refresh, Just finding it too easy to find excuses.

 

[moyiesledhead]

The equipment is an absolute necessity but without the ability to use it well its just dead weight.

What I learned from my near death experience is that the ability to use your brain far outweighs the ability to use the equipment. All three of us that day had the equipment and the ability to use it. We also had the knowledge to identify the hazard, but didn't use it. The wind loaded snow was obvious after the fact, and should have been obvious before. Practicing terrain and hazard assessment is at least, if not more important than practicing how to use your equipment after someone's already screwed up.

 

[snopro]

What I learned from my near death experience is that the ability to use your brain far outweighs the ability to use the equipment. All three of us that day had the equipment and the ability to use it. We also had the knowledge to identify the hazard, but didn't use it. The wind loaded snow was obvious after the fact, and should have been obvious before. Practicing terrain and hazard assessment is at least, if not more important than practicing how to use your equipment after someone's already screwed up.

Great point Moyie! Back in 98 I was riding in the back end of Lang and we watched 2 riders climbing a huge face that was covered in shade about 2/3 of the way up with sun at the top. My buddies were hounding me to climb with the other 2 guys but the snow was balling up in the sun lit part of the slope. I made the comment that it was to dangerous and felt that the first sled that got to sunlight would cause a slide. I was right. One poor soul got caught in a 300 yard wide slide that came about 1/4 mile. He had no beacon and there were maybe 6-7 of us that had probes. Unfortunately it took a dog from Banff to find him in the late afternoon. His brother, who was climbing with him said he was to be married the next weekend. Very sad...... I remember that day where I made a smart decision to walk away when it doesn't look right.

 

[RXN]

Great point Moyie! Back in 98 I was riding in the back end of Lang and we watched 2 riders climbing a huge face that was covered in shade about 2/3 of the way up with sun at the top. My buddies were hounding me to climb with the other 2 guys but the snow was balling up in the sun lit part of the slope. I made the comment that it was to dangerous and felt that the first sled that got to sunlight would cause a slide. I was right. One poor soul got caught in a 300 yard wide slide that came about 1/4 mile. He had no beacon and there were maybe 6-7 of us that had probes. Unfortunately it took a dog from Banff to find him in the late afternoon. His brother, who was climbing with him said he was to be married the next weekend. Very sad...... I remember that day where I made a smart decision to walk away when it doesn't look right.

Very Sad indeed.

 

[Calg_Rider]

This is very true. So keep your brain working to keep yourself out of trouble in the first place and keep your equipment and training up to snuff for the time fate chases you down anyway or for saving the other guy who wasnt doing part one(avoidance)