Avalanche Poll
- Thread starter Gmiller
- Start date
Probably 6-12 times but only one did I feel imminent danger.
sent from my bag phone
sent from my bag phone
A
aebsledder
Well-known member
Here are some pics of how we screwed up...and almost died
This is one I was in..Thought I was going to die for sure. Thinking back on it makes my heart pound to this day. I don't mind posting this, because it illustrates how many mistakes our group made, and how lucky we were to escape alive. I have taken numerous courses since then, and am actually taking another this weekend. I will never forget that day.
View from about a mile away
This is the hole we had to dig some sleds out of
YouTube of the GNFAC report
This is one I was in..Thought I was going to die for sure. Thinking back on it makes my heart pound to this day. I don't mind posting this, because it illustrates how many mistakes our group made, and how lucky we were to escape alive. I have taken numerous courses since then, and am actually taking another this weekend. I will never forget that day.
View from about a mile away
This is the hole we had to dig some sleds out of
YouTube of the GNFAC report
C
chadweiser
Well-known member
you guys are so lucky. thats has some huge chunks. usually just crushes you. thank god you all made it. i have never been in a slide or even sseen one sliding but i have been there to see what happens when you uncover an 18 year old that didnt make it he didnt suffocate but was beaten up by the mastive chunks. my brother was burried in a slide in montana lucky for him he hit a tree on the way down that kept him out of the bottom.his head was only a foot under the snow and his buddies heard him yelling. so i have had a real respect for what is out there and get discusted at people that plays in the slopes that they shouldn't. remember most search and resuce are just every day people that also enjoys snowmobiling like us but when you have to digg out a body it can take a toll on you to the point that they dont want to ride any more. so the next time the fresh snow looks great and the hill doesn't have any tracks think about not only your self,your family ,friends that are with you, but also the people that risks their lives to help find you. so at that ride safe have fun and just "THINK" 
lost a good freind in one and had to dig him out that is some major reality check for you!!
Burried last year
Some wingnut shot past me on a hill and cut on top of me and away I went .
Some wingnut shot past me on a hill and cut on top of me and away I went .
I have seen the aftermath of one at my local riding area that claimed 2 lives. Voted never had an encounter with one though, as I was not there when it happened.
Edit: WOW, so far over 50% of the voters have been in an avalanche themselves!
Edit: WOW, so far over 50% of the voters have been in an avalanche themselves!
I voted that I've been in one, though it wasn't on sled. Never have kicked one off on my sled. Just snowboarding. One soft slab 3 seasons ago, didn't get pulled into it though (150' wide, 15" crown, fanned out runout, ran ~200', freaked me out). One wet slab that slid on facets, out ran this one as it was moving pretty slow (this was small, 25' wide, 18" crown, ran ~60' with no traps, didn't freak me out except I promptly moved to a more stable aspect).
The time I thought I was done for was in a big bowl, ~12500' NE aspect, fresh snow, I dug a pit with good results (no slabs, good bonding, but new snow was loose) but there was a strong chance of sloughing. I rode down maybe 400' vertical feet going from rider's left to the right, and for some stupid reason turned back to the left, and bam the slough took me off my feet, came over my head pulled me down a little ways, then past me. I thought I was focked when that wave came over me and took me off my feet. Pretty lucky, had no business being where I was on that particular day. That was in November last season.
The real wakeup call was watching my buddy get pulled down a decent sized chute. I thought he was dead. But he walked away. This was way more terrifying for me than any situation I've been in.
These days I dig pits on everything, stay low on the fresh days, and walk away when its needed. Stable, good snow does happen, but you have to be able to differentiate it from the more typical, scary snow. Have to say though, when you write down what you've been in/on/around its sounds much worse than I make it out to be in my head. Hmm. This is good, realizing I'm less careful than I thought.
The time I thought I was done for was in a big bowl, ~12500' NE aspect, fresh snow, I dug a pit with good results (no slabs, good bonding, but new snow was loose) but there was a strong chance of sloughing. I rode down maybe 400' vertical feet going from rider's left to the right, and for some stupid reason turned back to the left, and bam the slough took me off my feet, came over my head pulled me down a little ways, then past me. I thought I was focked when that wave came over me and took me off my feet. Pretty lucky, had no business being where I was on that particular day. That was in November last season.
The real wakeup call was watching my buddy get pulled down a decent sized chute. I thought he was dead. But he walked away. This was way more terrifying for me than any situation I've been in.
These days I dig pits on everything, stay low on the fresh days, and walk away when its needed. Stable, good snow does happen, but you have to be able to differentiate it from the more typical, scary snow. Have to say though, when you write down what you've been in/on/around its sounds much worse than I make it out to be in my head. Hmm. This is good, realizing I'm less careful than I thought.
Excellent thread/reminders.
Video above is impressive. That thing could have easily killed all of the riders on it just from trauma.
Even a tracked up slope does not mean it can't slide. Have seen slope covered in tracks and packed hard at the surface let go. Never let guard down on slopes steep enough to slide.
Also - beware of terrain traps!! Sometimes tiny little hill has enough snow to let go and fill what seems like a harmelss ditch, but if in it wrong can bury and kill. A few of The Rules:
1. one rider on a hill at a time
2. other riders watching the one rider on hill (and not sitting in run off zone) if that hill steep enough to slide.
3. other riders not parked sippin beverages in run off areas of potential sliders.
4. everyone has beacon
5. everyone has shovel/probe
I was invloved in one avalanche but slab not near as deep as the one here but still could have been tragic. In hind sight have been lucky many times and realize now how my ignorance could have resulted in not only harm to myself but others who trusted me to take them out riding. As have been riding for many years off and on since mid 70's I hate to admit it has only been about the last 5 years I really made a point to learn more and be more careful. I feel terrible for all those that lost loved ones from situations that on another day could have easily been someone in my party.
I hope we never tire of these threads as maybe each year maybe even one life is spared because of the information everyone is providing.
Video above is impressive. That thing could have easily killed all of the riders on it just from trauma.
Even a tracked up slope does not mean it can't slide. Have seen slope covered in tracks and packed hard at the surface let go. Never let guard down on slopes steep enough to slide.
Also - beware of terrain traps!! Sometimes tiny little hill has enough snow to let go and fill what seems like a harmelss ditch, but if in it wrong can bury and kill. A few of The Rules:
1. one rider on a hill at a time
2. other riders watching the one rider on hill (and not sitting in run off zone) if that hill steep enough to slide.
3. other riders not parked sippin beverages in run off areas of potential sliders.
4. everyone has beacon
5. everyone has shovel/probe
I was invloved in one avalanche but slab not near as deep as the one here but still could have been tragic. In hind sight have been lucky many times and realize now how my ignorance could have resulted in not only harm to myself but others who trusted me to take them out riding. As have been riding for many years off and on since mid 70's I hate to admit it has only been about the last 5 years I really made a point to learn more and be more careful. I feel terrible for all those that lost loved ones from situations that on another day could have easily been someone in my party.
I hope we never tire of these threads as maybe each year maybe even one life is spared because of the information everyone is providing.
S
Snappy Sledder
Well-known member
A little surprised at the numbers of people involved in one. Does anybody know the number of lives lost last year compared to previous years? Just wondering if they have gone down since more and more people are taking classes. I myself have taken a class and have yet to be involved in an avalanche, hoping to keep it that way for quite some time.
Should add to the poll, how many have deployed their airbag when involved in an avalanche?
Done thanks to slash925!
Thanks for posting , I look forward to riding with you again this year. just had heart surgery, so it might be a couple weeks . hopfully it will snow while Im recooping. Rob B.This is one I was in..Thought I was going to die for sure. Thinking back on it makes my heart pound to this day. I don't mind posting this, because it illustrates how many mistakes our group made, and how lucky we were to escape alive. I have taken numerous courses since then, and am actually taking another this weekend. I will never forget that day.
View from about a mile away
This is the hole we had to dig some sleds out of
YouTube of the GNFAC report
Snowy Range, 2010..... I was with my son on spring break. I was trying to get up the taller of the 2 hills just south of Lake Marie . I new I was going to get up it eventually on my 600 e-tec, 146". My son watched me go, basically up the face of the hill, sit at the top and then head to the south (?) to come back down. I went down the back of the hill, turned and came up over a small cornice about 3 feet tall. Just as i came up the back side I saw the face and cornice break away. I figured it was about 150' long, maybe 35' up/down and 2-3' thick and very chunky. I was going slowly enough that I ended up riding the back end of it down the hill, about 200 feet. My son watched the whole thing from the trees by the trail. It was kinda scary....after it happened. While I was sliding down, all I could think of, is REALLY! this is such a small hill! A friggin bunny hill! After I told my friend Ron, he got Mike Duffy to come to Michigan to do a class for about 45 of us. We all bought beacons, probes and shovels for our next trip. Hopefully an Avy bag is coming next.
S
sledheadjake
Well-known member
About 8 years ago when I first started riding I got caught in a small slide after pulling a hill and wrecking about half way up,scared me to death I was only buried up to my neck but that was enough for me to start learning about avalanches by taking avy courses.Since then I relly dont do any hill climbing or highmarking anymore i just keep it in the trees, I would rather play it a little safe and be able to ride another day.
Last year Mike and I were caught and buried. Stopped to help a stuck snowmobile.
I have been in to many to count and this is the first time completely buried. Had an avy bag but did not have time to deploy it. Helmet is broken in multiple spots from my head hitting trees. Glad I had it on. Learned a lesson, don't take your helmet off, it could save your life. Avy bag has one shoulder strap almost torn off and the bag has multiple abrasions. The Lord was with us that day. Totaled one Pro and huge damage to the other.
Justin was 3/4 way down the hill when it started to catch him. He was able to keep his Pro upright as it pushed him through the trees at the bottom end. Thank God for riding buddies like Justin, Ted and his boy Bob.
I have been in to many to count and this is the first time completely buried. Had an avy bag but did not have time to deploy it. Helmet is broken in multiple spots from my head hitting trees. Glad I had it on. Learned a lesson, don't take your helmet off, it could save your life. Avy bag has one shoulder strap almost torn off and the bag has multiple abrasions. The Lord was with us that day. Totaled one Pro and huge damage to the other.
Justin was 3/4 way down the hill when it started to catch him. He was able to keep his Pro upright as it pushed him through the trees at the bottom end. Thank God for riding buddies like Justin, Ted and his boy Bob.
