Cornice fall
- Thread starter FernieHawk
- Start date
firstdoo
Active VIP Member
That's pretty crazy. Glad to see he came out of it unscathed. Lucky fellow.
snopro
Active VIP Member
Wow. A story for the ages for that guy. Better go buy a lottery ticket while he's on a hot streak.
RXN
Active VIP Member
He must of had a battery powered avy bag.
He deployed it on the way down.
He was lucky not to be buried.
Then said he had his trigger out for the hike back up.
Thinking like that thats a smart design with that bag.
I have an extra canister for my bag but it stays at the room.
He deployed it on the way down.
He was lucky not to be buried.
Then said he had his trigger out for the hike back up.
Thinking like that thats a smart design with that bag.
I have an extra canister for my bag but it stays at the room.
pete gads
Active VIP Member
Jim Kuster (Carl Kuster of CKMP dad) told me many years ago. When your at top of a ridge never goes past trees, trees don't grow on cornices.
bobsledder
Active VIP Member
That's true but some ridges don't have trees on either side, but may have a cornice on prevailing wind leeward side.
His own write up....really hits home!
Long story short, this pic was taken from where I finally stopped after a cornice gave out under me. The short short. I almost died. I didn’t. The end. The rest is the full story.
I’ll start by saying, I thought I was in a different ridge altogether. This is my story of surviving what should have been certain death.
“Hey Nate, this is where we usually drop our sleds....”
The crack was seen out of the corner of my eyes from both sides. I can’t recall what Nate said as I went straight into focus for what I had no idea was about to possibly be the last ride of my life. (This indeed was not the spot I was trying to explain to Nate)I heard his yell, the cornice dropped, and before I hit the ground with the cornice, my BCA avalanche airbag was already deployed. As soon as I felt, what I thought was stable ground let go beneath me....the instance of that shift, my hand was on my airbag trigger.
There was no life flashing before my eyes. There was survival. Keep my head uphill. As the avalanche starts swallowing me, I can still see some light, my airbag is doing it’s job. I’m flipping, I’m tumbling...my head goes facing downhill “this is how Dan died, get my head back uphill” I have time to think. I feel nothing under me. Can’t see anything. I’m flying through the air. My second cliff I go over. Time in the air to think”I hope I don’t land on a rock, on a tree, I hope this fall doesn’t kill me” and I land, moving at an excelled speed, the avalanche cushions my second free fall. Still fighting to keep on top. Keep my head uphill. Trying to see what my fate entails. No dice. Still rag dolling. Using my limbs to spin me around, “keep your head uphill”. I see little trees. I scramble knowing there no chance I can stop myself at that speed, but I gotta try. There goes my glove, holy **** I’m in the air again. My 3rd cliff. Third times a charm. I’m dead. I’m going to die now. It’s ok. I land softly in the avalanche as if it just carried me gently off these cliffs in a protection. I can see! I’m on top! I’m not ****ing buried...I’m still sliding..fast...I dig my heals in as hard as I can...I’m slowing down. I watch the top of the avalanche go off the next set of cliffs. I’m stopped now. “I’m dead” I think to myself. “BLAIIINNNEEE....BLAAAIIIINNNEEE....BLAAAIIIINNNEEE” starts coming over my radio. Nope not dead. (I quickly assess myself. Nothing even hurts. I stand up. Feels like I got a Charlie horse. I fell of a mountain, went over 3 cliffs, and got a Charlie horse. What in the actual ****??) I don’t think. Mics plugged. Get my pack off as fast as I can to let Nate know I’m alive. I think. “Hey Nate?” I call over the radio. I can’t recall his response. “I’m alive dude! Nothing is broken. I’m fine. I’m perfectly ****ing fine.”
“I don’t know what to do. How are you going to get out of there?” Nate replies.
“I’m gonna start hiking. See ya in a couple hours”
In all the radio commotion between us a friendly voice comes over the radio. “Hey, I can hear you guys and can make some calls if you need.” Jesse Lerche is his name. Got my phone out and gave him Brent’s # and my sisters to notify we will be a bit late getting out but everything’s ok. No need to panic anyone. Didn’t see any sense in SAR at this point being I was uninjured, miraculously. Until I started my ascent. My options....plan for a sleepover and be cold all night, or stay warm and hike my ass out. Regardless of the multitude of risks involved in hiking out, I start climbing. And was happy to hear that SAR was notified once I was about 1/2 way up. Because now I really see the dangers I’m committing to. Trying not to think of the 80’ cornice I’m hiking straight into, I keep going. I go into a meditation. My mantra “punch right, punch left, right foot, left foot” roughly 3 hours of this. Once I’m into the cliffs, it’s so steep that standing straight up I can put my arm straight out at 90° and be touching the surface. (I kept my helmet on. I kept my radio on. I kept my backpack strapped on properly AND inflated for the duration in case of a secondary avalanche, not that there’d be any hope for me if that were to happen) I come to some spots that are iced out. I momentarily lose hope, then accept my challenge and scale through it. 1 slip, I’m going back down without the cushion of an avalanche to catch me. Every single movement from my body is consciously and strategically made. I get to the last 250’ or so. I’m at the base of the 80’ (maybe more) cornice now. I see my exit. Great. The snow hadn’t slid in this section. I get my shovel out and scale across the icy rock to get onto the fresh snow. It’s waist deep at least. Now my nose is touching the snow as I stand there. I start digging my stairway to heaven. In a zig zag pattern hoping for my life that this slab doesn’t let go when I’m so close to the top. I hear Nate’s sled pull up. I hear Brent’s sled pull up. It’s just dark. I can see humans!! Don’t let go now slab. I’m 25’ from the top. They get a rope ready. I’m still digging and climbing. They are ready with the rope.!I stick my shovel in the air, they see where I’m at and toss it over with a flashlight tied on. I grab the ****ing thing so goddam fast. Even if you let go now slab, I’m not going with you. A few heaves and few more shovel fulls of snow, my torso is over the top. Curtis is here too. He yells, “you got this Blaine, let’s go let’s go”. The final heaves and crawls and I’m out and away from the edge. Safety. At last. I hug my friends. I tell them I love them. Drink some water, put some dry gloves on and ride down.
Climbing out may have been the dumbest thing ever, but SAR got a call once we were riding down the mountain on our sleds that an 80 year old man that was out trapping hadn’t returned. They were able to turn their full attention towards that search. (Same staging area) I was off the mountain by 8 or 8:30. I have no details on the trapper but he was found alive and cold and heard he wasn’t off the mountain until around midnight. So dumb or not, it was worth it to “self extract”.
I am alive.... I think. I had an avalanche pack on WITH THE HANDLE OUT! I had a charged radio. We all forget to pull that handle out at times. I’ve forgot multiple times. I didn’t that day, and it saved my life, I think. I’d be dead otherwise, if I’m not and this is all an illusion because my spirit won’t let go. My quick reaction time to deploy. And in this circumstance, the avalanche if not only saved my life, but prevented me from any sort of injury aside from the Charlie horse. Unless I am actually dead. Or maybe this is all a DMT trip from the dream I had a few weeks back and I just haven’t woke yet? Who knows. But these words got here somehow. I don’t like writing so I’m sorry if it’s scrambled. Feel free to share this story for awareness. If it’s even a reminder for 1 person to pull out their handle and they need it, it’s worth the share. I’m statitistically stupid, but not statistically dead.
Long story short, this pic was taken from where I finally stopped after a cornice gave out under me. The short short. I almost died. I didn’t. The end. The rest is the full story.
I’ll start by saying, I thought I was in a different ridge altogether. This is my story of surviving what should have been certain death.
“Hey Nate, this is where we usually drop our sleds....”
The crack was seen out of the corner of my eyes from both sides. I can’t recall what Nate said as I went straight into focus for what I had no idea was about to possibly be the last ride of my life. (This indeed was not the spot I was trying to explain to Nate)I heard his yell, the cornice dropped, and before I hit the ground with the cornice, my BCA avalanche airbag was already deployed. As soon as I felt, what I thought was stable ground let go beneath me....the instance of that shift, my hand was on my airbag trigger.
There was no life flashing before my eyes. There was survival. Keep my head uphill. As the avalanche starts swallowing me, I can still see some light, my airbag is doing it’s job. I’m flipping, I’m tumbling...my head goes facing downhill “this is how Dan died, get my head back uphill” I have time to think. I feel nothing under me. Can’t see anything. I’m flying through the air. My second cliff I go over. Time in the air to think”I hope I don’t land on a rock, on a tree, I hope this fall doesn’t kill me” and I land, moving at an excelled speed, the avalanche cushions my second free fall. Still fighting to keep on top. Keep my head uphill. Trying to see what my fate entails. No dice. Still rag dolling. Using my limbs to spin me around, “keep your head uphill”. I see little trees. I scramble knowing there no chance I can stop myself at that speed, but I gotta try. There goes my glove, holy **** I’m in the air again. My 3rd cliff. Third times a charm. I’m dead. I’m going to die now. It’s ok. I land softly in the avalanche as if it just carried me gently off these cliffs in a protection. I can see! I’m on top! I’m not ****ing buried...I’m still sliding..fast...I dig my heals in as hard as I can...I’m slowing down. I watch the top of the avalanche go off the next set of cliffs. I’m stopped now. “I’m dead” I think to myself. “BLAIIINNNEEE....BLAAAIIIINNNEEE....BLAAAIIIINNNEEE” starts coming over my radio. Nope not dead. (I quickly assess myself. Nothing even hurts. I stand up. Feels like I got a Charlie horse. I fell of a mountain, went over 3 cliffs, and got a Charlie horse. What in the actual ****??) I don’t think. Mics plugged. Get my pack off as fast as I can to let Nate know I’m alive. I think. “Hey Nate?” I call over the radio. I can’t recall his response. “I’m alive dude! Nothing is broken. I’m fine. I’m perfectly ****ing fine.”
“I don’t know what to do. How are you going to get out of there?” Nate replies.
“I’m gonna start hiking. See ya in a couple hours”
In all the radio commotion between us a friendly voice comes over the radio. “Hey, I can hear you guys and can make some calls if you need.” Jesse Lerche is his name. Got my phone out and gave him Brent’s # and my sisters to notify we will be a bit late getting out but everything’s ok. No need to panic anyone. Didn’t see any sense in SAR at this point being I was uninjured, miraculously. Until I started my ascent. My options....plan for a sleepover and be cold all night, or stay warm and hike my ass out. Regardless of the multitude of risks involved in hiking out, I start climbing. And was happy to hear that SAR was notified once I was about 1/2 way up. Because now I really see the dangers I’m committing to. Trying not to think of the 80’ cornice I’m hiking straight into, I keep going. I go into a meditation. My mantra “punch right, punch left, right foot, left foot” roughly 3 hours of this. Once I’m into the cliffs, it’s so steep that standing straight up I can put my arm straight out at 90° and be touching the surface. (I kept my helmet on. I kept my radio on. I kept my backpack strapped on properly AND inflated for the duration in case of a secondary avalanche, not that there’d be any hope for me if that were to happen) I come to some spots that are iced out. I momentarily lose hope, then accept my challenge and scale through it. 1 slip, I’m going back down without the cushion of an avalanche to catch me. Every single movement from my body is consciously and strategically made. I get to the last 250’ or so. I’m at the base of the 80’ (maybe more) cornice now. I see my exit. Great. The snow hadn’t slid in this section. I get my shovel out and scale across the icy rock to get onto the fresh snow. It’s waist deep at least. Now my nose is touching the snow as I stand there. I start digging my stairway to heaven. In a zig zag pattern hoping for my life that this slab doesn’t let go when I’m so close to the top. I hear Nate’s sled pull up. I hear Brent’s sled pull up. It’s just dark. I can see humans!! Don’t let go now slab. I’m 25’ from the top. They get a rope ready. I’m still digging and climbing. They are ready with the rope.!I stick my shovel in the air, they see where I’m at and toss it over with a flashlight tied on. I grab the ****ing thing so goddam fast. Even if you let go now slab, I’m not going with you. A few heaves and few more shovel fulls of snow, my torso is over the top. Curtis is here too. He yells, “you got this Blaine, let’s go let’s go”. The final heaves and crawls and I’m out and away from the edge. Safety. At last. I hug my friends. I tell them I love them. Drink some water, put some dry gloves on and ride down.
Climbing out may have been the dumbest thing ever, but SAR got a call once we were riding down the mountain on our sleds that an 80 year old man that was out trapping hadn’t returned. They were able to turn their full attention towards that search. (Same staging area) I was off the mountain by 8 or 8:30. I have no details on the trapper but he was found alive and cold and heard he wasn’t off the mountain until around midnight. So dumb or not, it was worth it to “self extract”.
I am alive.... I think. I had an avalanche pack on WITH THE HANDLE OUT! I had a charged radio. We all forget to pull that handle out at times. I’ve forgot multiple times. I didn’t that day, and it saved my life, I think. I’d be dead otherwise, if I’m not and this is all an illusion because my spirit won’t let go. My quick reaction time to deploy. And in this circumstance, the avalanche if not only saved my life, but prevented me from any sort of injury aside from the Charlie horse. Unless I am actually dead. Or maybe this is all a DMT trip from the dream I had a few weeks back and I just haven’t woke yet? Who knows. But these words got here somehow. I don’t like writing so I’m sorry if it’s scrambled. Feel free to share this story for awareness. If it’s even a reminder for 1 person to pull out their handle and they need it, it’s worth the share. I’m statitistically stupid, but not statistically dead.
ferniesnow
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Awesome story with this thread and an eye opener for sure. Another trick I learned from an older fellow was to take out your probe and probe your way to the edge or close to the edge. Usually, the snow isn't deep on the ridges and the probe can feel if you are still on the rocks/base. Always something to be aware of and not something to toy with.
Lund
Active VIP Member
Cool thought, but my recommendation is atleast 10FT from the tree. Tree's at top of ridges are known to grow at severe angles especially on the opposing side of the general wind.(leeward)
A cornice sitting on a ridge from the wind will collect air pocket's as the season progresses and a cornice can shear several feet, even meters back from the actual ridge depending on its size.
So don't think your safe because your not past the tree's or you can probe the ground, a cornice can sweep you away if its big enough and has a big enough air cavity under the layers, several feet back from the ridge can go down with it.
Food for thought.
bobsledder
Active VIP Member
Very true and I have seen it when we blasted cornices above lizard bowl
LUCKY 7
Active VIP Member
Lizard bowl as at the Fernie ski hill?
bobsledder
Active VIP Member
It is
Lund
Active VIP Member
There is a bit of a misconception out there that riding in the tree's/tree line or within the timber on slopes is safe or safer. You couldn't be more wrong.
Riding a snowmobile with the idea of avoiding a slide (avalanche)can only be done while riding on a FLAT surface, if your riding in the tree's while above is loaded you might be in for an unsuspected surprise.
Here is the interesting part, while i was with SAR's a majority of our call's were rider's dropping into drainages and loaded terrain above them was common. It is a case of out of sight out of mind. Rider's don't have a very good visual of the above terrain giving them a false security. Ironically i don't recall being called out for high alpine rider's or chute slayers in the years i was with SAR's. Basically they DO have a good visual of the terrain and most make good educated decisions on what they visually see.
Personally with nearly 40yrs of backcountry riding if i had to choose between crossing a slop that is loaded, in the tree's or pulling over the top, i would always pick pulling over the top, straight up. But that's me with my experience.
Other wise turn around and ride a safer zone or within your skill set.
To explain, going over the top would mean running the top of the ridge, which is safer as your above the snow load in the attempt in crossing a slope to the other side. Every situation is different.
Riding a snowmobile with the idea of avoiding a slide (avalanche)can only be done while riding on a FLAT surface, if your riding in the tree's while above is loaded you might be in for an unsuspected surprise.
Here is the interesting part, while i was with SAR's a majority of our call's were rider's dropping into drainages and loaded terrain above them was common. It is a case of out of sight out of mind. Rider's don't have a very good visual of the above terrain giving them a false security. Ironically i don't recall being called out for high alpine rider's or chute slayers in the years i was with SAR's. Basically they DO have a good visual of the terrain and most make good educated decisions on what they visually see.
Personally with nearly 40yrs of backcountry riding if i had to choose between crossing a slop that is loaded, in the tree's or pulling over the top, i would always pick pulling over the top, straight up. But that's me with my experience.
Other wise turn around and ride a safer zone or within your skill set.
To explain, going over the top would mean running the top of the ridge, which is safer as your above the snow load in the attempt in crossing a slope to the other side. Every situation is different.
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snopro
Active VIP Member
I know a guy from down our way that was killed in a slide. The slide came from an upper area that slid down that slope with such force it climbed the smaller slope across the drainage then came down the slope this fellow was playing on. Travelled probably more than a mile. Like Lund says flat is safe but flat still needs to be far enough away from dangerous slopes with high load.
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