Be Careful! Please!!!

[Polaris Racer 169]

Have a weird feeling tonight. I was in the middle of a huge avalanche today at Worm Creek Lake which is by Bloomington lake. Eight of us where in there playing when it triggered with 4 up on the hill. We all made it alive but one guy swam on top while another was buried with his hand out. I had been stuck on the hill and just got my sled around and was about to start it when the ground just sort of rippled, like a wave or something. I fired up and raced down jumping out of the bottom. I thought I always knew what to do but when it really happens, I think all you really do is panic. I know I hit the pile up going so fast downhil that I jumped a ways. I just told my self to make sure i land it or I was dead! Not sure how to judge it but it broke all of worm creek lake and clear around to the south throught he pine trees almost to what they call little jackson or cocaine alley. It has to be over a 1000 yrds wide by the whole length of the hill. There's probably not much to say other than it was just pure luck no one was killed. Thinking back its crazy to try to figure out whats the right thing to do. Try to ride it out, out run it, start praying, or what? I'm alive tonight so I guess I did something right. So please, if your ging out, just remember the snow isn't bonded down well and anything can happen. I've rode there a lot but this time was close!
Thanks
Dolan

 

[Ford428CJ]

WOW! This has become a BIG problem here latley for everyone! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[MrClean409]

Glad you're here to talk about it!

 

[christopher]

Thanks for the warning and congratulations on surviving it!!

 

[Ford428CJ]

Forgot to say.....Glad your still here!!!

 

[Cowgirl151]

Been there, rode that! Thats huge!!! What an experience, sounds like the lack of snow might have been in all you guys' favor! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you are ok.

 

[cowboysedge]

I've been on that hill also! That's one hell of a slide, no where to go but trees at the bottom. I've been told it will slide but never seen it. Glad you all are all right.

I just took an avy class with Babe tonight. I gave him a late call and a txt. I'm sure you will be hearing from him.

God Bless and Ride Safe!

 

[JedInUtah]

Glad to hear you all made it out ok. That is a nasty bowl with a grater of trees at the bottom. SCARY! I was going to be riding there tomorrow, but opted to go hit the snocross races instead. Feeling better about that now.

Again just glad all are safe!

 

[Polaris Racer 169]

We are going to the snocross today also. Figured i would take a day off to be with my boy. I plan on riding again early next week. Need to get back on my sled. I feel I've learned somethings but I'm not gonna let it make me Pu$%y foot around.
Thanks for all your concerns. Its appreciated.
Thanks
Dolan

 

[drmiller100]

be smart about this.

Obviously you should NOT have been playing on that hill, that day.

Was it on the leeward slope?
What were snowfall conditions?
Were there any of the warning signs?
Did you have a beacon, and know how to use it? Shovel? Probe?

 

[CatWoman]

Glad you are all safe and ALIVE!!

 

[Mrs HOBB-Z]

WOW, Doley. Mike just came in and told me that you had been in this avalanche. I am so glad to hear that you are ok and that everybody came out of it ok.

I know that we have rode this many times with you and others and has always kind of spooked me, just glad that everybody is safe.

How did the wife take it when you got home to tell her? Hopefully better than I did when Mike came home from his years ago. Just remember to give her and the kids a huge hug and kiss EVERY DAY and tell them how much you LOVE them.

We love you Doley, call us sometime or stop by.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

Glad everyone is okay.

 

[cowboysedge]

We are going to the snocross today also. Figured i would take a day off to be with my boy. I plan on riding again early next week. Need to get back on my sled. I feel I've learned somethings but I'm not gonna let it make me Pu$%y foot around.
Thanks for all your concerns. Its appreciated.
Thanks
Dolan

Good to hear! Take a little time to sort things out. I know you RMSHA guys are busy but there is an Avalanche Awareness class in Preston, Jan 29th and 30th. if you can make it. Call 208-525-7121 to sign up.

http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation/snowmobileeducation.aspx

Ride safe!

 

[M7kid]

Glad you made it out ok. That is a fun place to ride.

 

[Bigrock33]

with 4 up on the hill. Dolan

Well, first and foremost, glad everyone made it out OK. Without trying to be too abrasive, what the HE!! were 4 guys doing on a hill at one time? Did anyone check the avy conditions before riding that morning. If I recall, that whole area had some serious avy warnings the last time that I checked. Glad everyone is OK, but from the report, seems pretty foolish of your group. Not trying to bash, but if the reports I read were true, ya all threw caution to the wind and put some peeps in danger.

 

[sledhead ut]

That was the first thing I thought when I read it. Half of the crew on the hill at the same time is nuts.
I think you can thank the minimal snow for your survival in this one.

Glad to hear all are OK and I bet some knowledge and respect will be gained from this. I know from a couple of my experiences, it's like an episode of Scared Straight.

 

[Tree Boss]

here is a pic that CPA put in the UT section of the slide. It is incredible that nobody got hurt in this slide.

 

[72cheetah]

Pulled my cousin out of a slide on that very same hill a few years back. We had been up and down at least 15 times before it gave way on him. If you ride this hill be very cautious! Glad everyone got out ok!

 

[AMSOILR]

Worm Creek Long Ridge

This picture is on the same hill that slid last week. It was taken several years ago. Notice the trees have been hammered by past slides. We all need to be aware of the avalanche danger and keep it mind when we ride.