Avalanche!!!!!

[anziconda]

Just want to start a thread that talks about experiences, knowledge, info on avalanches since the season is getting close. If everyone posts a small bit of personal experience or knowledge, maybe it'll save someone elses bacon this year.
I'll start...
I learned in Cooke City that the hill to the right, right before you climb to the top of lulu pass ALWAYS slides!!!Everytime I go there there is debris we have to sled over to start the climb up lulu. I learned from that slope that trees tell a good story. All the trees on that slope look like they were standing beside a nuclear blast. After learning that I can tell a lot of dangerous slopes even in the summer if I look.

 

[wjl]

Numbers to call before you even head out:

http://www.avalanche.org/phonenum.htm

Another good site: http://www.noaa.gov/
straight to it: http://usasearch.gov/search?v:project=firstgov&query=avalanche+reports&affiliate=nws.noaa.gov

Be safe & know before you head out.

 

[Moosedog]

I learned when the hill starts to break loose its a feeling that is hard to describe. Things happen really fast and nothing is like what you would expect. I learned it's good to be at the top of the debris field even if your sled is cartwheeling down the hill pounding you over and over. I learned I can look at the avalanche report, read the signs, know there is danger and still do stupid $hit. I hope I learned something.

 

[Ex-Member]

usually watch that at work, know the situation before heading out.

 

[Norona]

If most sledders listened to this one rule then the number of deaths would be half of what they have been.

ONE person on a hill at a time. Period. If buddy gets stuck at the top let him dig himself out. Better than burying him by highmarking above him.

 

[anziconda]

Another thing I've noticed is slides can happen even on smaller hills. I've seen the smaller, less steep hills slide as much if not more than the big, steep hills. The info I have recieved tells me that 35 degrees is the prime slope for a slide.

 

[Beartoothclimb]

While your info isn't the worst i've read, you might be better off cutting and pasting some better knowledge instead of misleading, shot from the hip sentences.

 

[Mafesto]

I'm a simple flatlander, never been in an avy, but here's my 2 cents.....
Purchase the movie "A dozen more turns"
It's the best $5 you will ever spend related to avalanche awareness.
Watch it, make your riding buddies watch it!
If that doesn't motivate you to make an effort to be safer, nothing will.
I truly believe this is a "must see" for any mountain rider who ventures into the steep & deep.

 

[Borninsnow]

Watch it online. I watched last year, and sent it to all my sled and back country ski buddies...

Talk about tear jerking AND eye opening!

http://revver.com/video/310519/a-dozen-more-turns/

 

[Mafesto]

I did watch it online first.
Then I decided there is no reason not to have a copy to share with my riding buddies.

 

[anziconda]

While your info isn't the worst i've read, you might be better off cutting and pasting some better knowledge instead of misleading, shot from the hip sentences.

Post some of your info since you're such an expert. Don't even post to this thread unless you have something usefull to say. I started this thread as a place to post any Info, personal experiences,or observations cause maybe someone will read something that helps save themselves. Your post didn't help anyone!!

 

[Beartoothclimb]

Post some of your info since you're such an expert. Don't even post to this thread unless you have something usefull to say. I started this thread as a place to post any Info, personal experiences,or observations cause maybe someone will read something that helps save themselves. Your post didn't help anyone!!

Sure, when i get some time i'll throw some up. But for you to say that the slope on the right before lulu pass always slides is a gross generalization of that area. Perhaps saying that yes, there are numerous slide paths and yes they can slide when conditions are right would help more people out than saying that is always does. Absolutes seem to cause complacency from what i have observed. Instead of learning through observations that a specific path in a specific area slides so therefore it is dangerous is not as effective as simply learning to properly distinguish terrain features. I could name hundreds of slide paths in a cooke city but that would not help or be easy to teach each one to every person that rides there. Terrain recognition is one of the biggest parts in in hazard evaluation.

Edit: forgot to add that in your first post i did like you put that flagging is a good sign of path recognition.

 

[anziconda]

Sorry if my observation was generalization to you. I just like to know the slopes that are common to slide and I stay off them at all times. Like I said, EVERY time I have been through there there is debris from a slide and I always see sled tracks on that slope. I don't climb there at all. Thanks for you input though, I definately don't want to mislead anybody at all...just thought a thread where people could talk about avys in any way...even if it helps one person decide not to go up a dangerous slope would be worthwhile...I welcome you to post some of your knowledge on reconizing terrain, maybe I could learn something usefull. What some people think is common knowledge could be helpfull for others.

 

[flying pig]

if you can see fractures or there's a cornice at the top stay off it. I know of a few slopes up here where if you climb em they'll go, GUARENTEED, all season long and in any conditions!

 

[SLEDIOT]

My first ride out on my new 06 m7 le, first week of January in 06. Went up the left side and above a rock I felt everything "drop". ISide hill a bit as the hil was sloughing and down the right hand center chute. This hill is know as the hillclimb hill in Tumbler ridge BC. Had to buy new Gonchies and went and bought my first SOS Beacon after that.........

 

[idahosledder]

Ok, short and sweet.
I have been in three over the years, two on hills I never thought would slide.They were just small hills we cross all the time, but when they slid there was still about 10 feet of concrete piled up at the bottom.

Last year we dug up a body early in the season on one of those hills that we used to take for granted. It was totally preventable.

The group was just on a test and tune ride and didnt even plan on doing any major hillbanging that early in the season. No beacons, no shovels, no probes.

NEVER underestimate the hill. I have seen some slide over the years that I never would have guessed would move.

ALWAYS be prepared with needed gear. Even if you just plan on a trail ride take your gear! And early season avy's are common!

ONE person at a time on the hill at a time.
And know where your buddies are playing!

Nuff said.

 

[anziconda]

Great info/pic!! Some info/advice on digging a pit would be helpfull. Anybody on here dig pits often? If so, post some pics and tell what you look out for.

 

[NoCoastNesse]

Great info/pic!! Some info/advice on digging a pit would be helpfull. Anybody on here dig pits often? If so, post some pics and tell what you look out for.

Yeah, I dig pits. A pit dig is a good way to get an idea of the previous storms and what's happening below. If I'm going to be somewhere no one else has laid tracks and it's above timbeline I'll usually dig 3-4 pits in different locals.....unfortunatley most of the people I see just blast it before I get my Avy Study done....so I miss first tracks...but hey......I will most likely live longer.

 

[flying pig]

My first ride out on my new 06 m7 le, first week of January in 06. Went up the left side and above a rock I felt everything "drop". ISide hill a bit as the hil was sloughing and down the right hand center chute. This hill is know as the hillclimb hill in Tumbler ridge BC. Had to buy new Gonchies and went and bought my first SOS Beacon after that.........

wow ridden that hill a million times and never seen the center slide at all, ever! Seen the left go early season sometimes though. Hill is way way steeper than that pic does justice for too.

 

[snowww1]

All I can say is take an avalanche class.

It's better than learning from trial and error. If your friends are trained and practiced in rescue, it increases the chances of survival for the buried person by 70% according to one study. One of the best things to know is how to analyze terrain and stability so that you do not get caught. You can never be 100% sure and that's why the proper equipment and training is so important.

Mike Duffy avalanche instructor