Grandview today

[ak1000m]

Just got a call from some buddys that just came out of grandview that got in a avalanche as they where fueling the sleds lucky they where able fire up the sleds and stay ahead of it .one sled got buried but they found it and lost gas cans and cap. Two mountains came down at the same time the snow made it all the way to the train tracks in some spots. If you know the area thats a big slide. We really need to respect these mountains! Please be careful!

 

[Winter Project]

Isn't that area closed!?

 

[ak1000m]

It's been open all year.

unless they just closed it. nothing on the chugach site. now if you are talking about paradise valley its closed to snowmobiles. but i'll make some more calls to double check.

 

[m1ke]

woah!

 

[theultrarider]

Wow, those guys sure dodged a big bullet today. Becareful guys...

 

[justadude]

Be careful guys!! I don't want to see another avy RIP report!

Put the testosterone in check and live to ride another day!!

 

[Nikolai]

Lucky to be alive. So did they start climbing on the slopes that hadn't slid yet? People amaze me. The reports of people trying to get over Turnagain right now just baffles my mind.

 

[Ridgerat]

No they were not climbing when/where it happened. They were sitting a ways from the mountain taking a break and actually had time to watch the slide for a few seconds after hearing to snap, before they realized it was headed for their location. A recoil failed on one sled, so they doubled up on the other and hauled butt.

 

[BottomFeeder m7.]

mmm i might have to get the sled back out with all this talk of new snow... well see..

 

[Ridgerat]

I'll see if I can get him to log on tonight and tell the rest of the story...I thought it was an April fools joke! Hairy deal for sure!

Do not under estimate how far and fast snow can run out!

 

[Dash]

Here are few tips on what to do and not to do:

Choose SAFE parking spot. I know that everybody knows this much, but how do you really tell? The lowest angle of a slope that ever avalanched was I think 18 degrees. So the trick it to figure out the steepness of a slope above you. There is a simple measuring device called inclinometer... it's light, doesnt need batery and is cheep (like $10), looks like oversized plastic card with scale on it and some sort of weight on string. You align the edge of it with the edge of the slope (or look over the side), keep the weight from moving and read the angle. If it's below 18 deg. you are pretty much safe....

Park with the kill switch up or in ready to start position, your sleds pointed downhill, away from the slope.

 

[DVarmit]

I am glad my wife doesn't read this forum or I would be done for the year. Either that or she might be kicking me out of the house to ride more.

Glad they are alright. That's some scary stuff. Especially two sides coming down at once.. WOW!

 

[BottomFeeder m7.]

I dont wana dig on of you guys out. Please be safe.

 

[I_boondock]

Lucky

Did a quick beacon search until I saw their on the debris. Figured for sure someone was in there. Big slide.

 

[Mag]

Did a quick beacon search until I saw their on the debris. Figured for sure someone was in there. Big slide.

Damn!!

 

[Ridgerat]

The machine that was abandoned was hit from behind by the avalanche and pushed about 120 yards. It was only half buried, but the windsheild and handlebars were broken from the impact and the entire sled was full of hard packed snow. They found his backpack, but never did find his helmet. The snow was about 10 feet deep over where they had been parked! They sent me some awesome pictures that I'll resize and post tomorrow.

Lucky lucky lucky! I'm so glad they had time to get moved!

Please continue to be careful and prepared friends!

 

[DVarmit]

WOW!

 

[theultrarider]

Makes me thankful that I bit the bullet and bought 2 beacons this week. Especially since I was thining of heading for Grandview this weekend.

 

[AkSummit]

I keep a big rubber band under my kill switch. This is a lil old trick I learned from Turbo Tims Dad.

It makes for a "no thought" quick re-start.

(that and I dont have to worry about hitting it while climbing and killing the sled.)

Dont think I will ever run a sled without it that way.

 

[the_dougdangerak]

Makes me thankful that I bit the bullet and bought 2 beacons this week. Especially since I was thining of heading for Grandview this weekend.

Thank you Tim! Seward, saturday morning, that's where it is.