Avy takes a good friend....
- Thread starter jsledder
- Start date
We were just riding those areas and like stated above we take these areas for granted. A buddy was out there the day this happened and stated that both Widow maker and the left side of seven fools had slid. Both where spots where he would never thought would slide the wind and all the cold spells that they have had has not giving the snow a chance to set up.
Its sad that it takes something like this for us all to look at what we do and think twice if its worth it or not.
Thoughts and prayers go out to all family and friends.
It can happen at anytime and any place. Think twice before pulling the cord and setting that mark on the hill. B/C like stated from one of the guys that experienced this tragedy they were not even on the hill at the time.
Its sad that it takes something like this for us all to look at what we do and think twice if its worth it or not.
Thoughts and prayers go out to all family and friends.
It can happen at anytime and any place. Think twice before pulling the cord and setting that mark on the hill. B/C like stated from one of the guys that experienced this tragedy they were not even on the hill at the time.
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rmk685
Well-known member
I never stated that we werent on the hill, just stated that no sleds were running at the time of the avy. Kody from snowy mountain tours and everyone else stated they would of never thought it would slide where it did.
I just wish media would stop jumping to conclusions. I hate posting on this thread, but i also hate seeing all the false info. from the media.
Prayers to Dale's family and friends.
P.S. Myself and the whole group would like to thank, Snowy Mountain Lodge, Snowy Mountain Tours, Mountain Meadow Cabins, and Winter Creek condos for everything they did.
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Thoughts and prayers with all family and friends! Sorry to hear of another fatal avy!
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summitman
Member
I got a phone call about this the other night. Sorry to hear about it. Dale was a good man. I 1st met him at the SW forum ride in IP, years ago. We still talk about meeting him there & rideing w/ him. One of my funniest sleding trip stories involves Dale. I'm sure he's still laughing about it on the big white cloud he's riding in the sky.
The support group the family has is amazing, I don't think there has been a parking spot near the house since it happened.
To the guys that were there..... I can't even begin to imagine what that must have been like and am truly thankful you are all okay and I know you did your best. Thoughts and prayers definately go out to you guys!!!
To the guys that were there..... I can't even begin to imagine what that must have been like and am truly thankful you are all okay and I know you did your best. Thoughts and prayers definately go out to you guys!!!
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rmk685
Well-known member
I am back in Miller now and everyone in the community is being great to the family and they are coming through.
Bobi wanted me to post exactly what happened so that all the speculation from everyone and the media comes to an end.
First off, It happened in the 7-fools area, or the french creek drainage for the ones that are not familiar. The four involved in the avy were Dale Wagner, Ryan Wagner, Dustin Arthur, and myself. Ryan and I were not completely buried and we were to Dale's position within 2 minutes using our beacons. We had him uncovered in roughly 4 minutes. He did not suffer. It was an instant death from his sled or debris. We performed CPR in hope for a miracle. Dustin was also buried and he owes his life to Brian Bertsch as he found him with a probe within 10 minutes. The only helicopter that we seen was at Snowy Mountain Lodge. There wasn't one on that actual scene.
Dale was a true Polaris man. As you may know he bought an M8 last year. He told Bobi before he left that if that cat died he was going to the polaris dealership and buying a new sled. He wasn't a man of many words, but when he did speak you better be listening because it was either going to be very intelligent or funnier then hell.
The first trip I was on with Dale, we were sitting in a lodge in the big horns and Dale had a little to much to drink the night before. We asked him how he felt and his exact words were "I feel like I got ate by a bear and $hit off a cliff". That's just the kind of guy Dale was. It's too bad this stuff happens to the good ones.
Dale always said, he was either going to go from his snowmobile or his race car. When Bobi seen him today he had a big smile on his face so she knew he went the way he wanted.
Once again my thoughts and prayers to Dale's friends and family.
Bobi wanted me to post exactly what happened so that all the speculation from everyone and the media comes to an end.
First off, It happened in the 7-fools area, or the french creek drainage for the ones that are not familiar. The four involved in the avy were Dale Wagner, Ryan Wagner, Dustin Arthur, and myself. Ryan and I were not completely buried and we were to Dale's position within 2 minutes using our beacons. We had him uncovered in roughly 4 minutes. He did not suffer. It was an instant death from his sled or debris. We performed CPR in hope for a miracle. Dustin was also buried and he owes his life to Brian Bertsch as he found him with a probe within 10 minutes. The only helicopter that we seen was at Snowy Mountain Lodge. There wasn't one on that actual scene.
Dale was a true Polaris man. As you may know he bought an M8 last year. He told Bobi before he left that if that cat died he was going to the polaris dealership and buying a new sled. He wasn't a man of many words, but when he did speak you better be listening because it was either going to be very intelligent or funnier then hell.
The first trip I was on with Dale, we were sitting in a lodge in the big horns and Dale had a little to much to drink the night before. We asked him how he felt and his exact words were "I feel like I got ate by a bear and $hit off a cliff". That's just the kind of guy Dale was. It's too bad this stuff happens to the good ones.
Dale always said, he was either going to go from his snowmobile or his race car. When Bobi seen him today he had a big smile on his face so she knew he went the way he wanted.
Once again my thoughts and prayers to Dale's friends and family.
P
priest lake rmk
Well-known member
So sad. Prayers to all family and friends. I have had a bad feeling for the last few monthes about this year. It is becoming real.
Thoughts and prayers.
Not even close to Widow. I would say it is south west of hwy 130. Not a hill that can be seen from the trail. Nor is it easy to find unless you know how and where to get to it. Though I have seen a group of rental sleds wonder down and have a hell of a time getting back out.
I have been riding in the area for 7 years now and have never seen the area slide that slid. Very odd. The snow that we had been riding in had no base yet. But it was extremely deep and un set up. The only area that I have seen slide @ 7 fools before this was way off to the right but when it did slide it wasnt much. Goes to show it can happen at anytime and any area.
Very Sad situation.
Thoughts and prayers once again
Becareful out there folks!!!
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Skibum
New member
Map of Avy Location
Here's a URL to display a topo map of the location reported to rescuers headed in to the scene. Most of the southern 1/3 of the slope on the west side of the drainage went from top to a bench just above the creek.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=41.3199&lon=-106.30988&datum=nad83&u=7&layer=DRG25&size=l&s=48
Here's a URL to display a topo map of the location reported to rescuers headed in to the scene. Most of the southern 1/3 of the slope on the west side of the drainage went from top to a bench just above the creek.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=41.3199&lon=-106.30988&datum=nad83&u=7&layer=DRG25&size=l&s=48
sorry to hear of the loss, god speed.
