Helmet cam Avy- Wake up call

[mtnpull]

"No matter what you know or learn about avy's it is guess work at best...not even a caluculated risk it is a fricken calculated guess at best."

This statement is not true. The actual physical structure of the snowpack can tell you when you are more likely to trigger avalanches.

This year compared to last year at this same time are perfect examples. Last year at the end of January we had a deep and stable snowpack. The base layers were like cement bricks that you could drive a car on. I felt very comfortable getting onto big steep slopes. This year we have a thin week snowpack with weak snow near the ground. It's like trying to balance a car on top of potato chips. I can't feel good about a lot of the large slopes yet this year. Continued avalanche activity correlates well with the poor structure with almost all of the avalanches I visit breaking into the weak snow near the ground.

The areas with thinner snow cover such as the Skyline area and the Uintas have the worst snowpack structure.

Have patience. Things may improve but they may not either. Weather will dictate. If you're getting onto the big slopes at least put only one person on them at a time and don't watch from the runnout zones.

Brett Kobernik
Avalanche Forecaster
Utah Avalanche Center

Thanks Brett.

I think sledders have come a long ways in the recent years as far as avalanche awareness and preparedness goes. However, I think it always pays to err on the side of caution. I have talked with a lot of sledders who have been to one free avy class and think they KNOW when it is safe and when it is not. Much more avy training and education is needed. I am in the uintas multiple times per week and I am seeing more and more people venturing out onto slopes right now and taking a risk because they think it is safe and they haven't heard much as far as avy activity goes in a while. It is still a shallow snowpack here and there are still slopes that can and will slide with enough prodding. On top of that it rained up here today up to about 9000 - 9500 feet. Heavy, wet snow at higher eleveations although not much accumulations. Surely tonight the rain will freeze and put a rain crust on the snow at mid elevations. I guess what I am trying to say is that we all need to educate ourselves continually, check avy forecasts everytime, and not get caught up thinking we know more than we actually do. If the forecast is considerable for an area, you won't find me climbing. The uinta's is one of the only (maybe fairview) areas in the state still at a considerable danger. Some of these forecast areas are quite large and the conditions can change from the northern half to the southern half. If in doubt dig a pit and evaluate the snowpack that your riding.

Just out of curiosity how many of you guys have dug a snow pit, or even know how and what to look for? They can actually be quite interesting, and fun.

Well enough rambling. Let's hope for some good snow this weekend. Be safe Y'all.

 

[CoyoteGirl]

My problem is this some dude who dosent have a f ing clue of what has happend here in Utah wants to educate US. WE very sadly no more about avy dangers then the rest of SW combine. Know you god dam auidience before you let your mouth make you look like a dick. I happen to agrree with most but deff. not all of what he said. Take a cheap shot at a friend of mine Ill give ya 10 back. I dont think OUTSIDERS have a clue how tight chit is here. Thats all.

Yes you guys are tight.......... I am glad you guys have each other's backs! You guys are lucky and on some days I wonder what it would be like if I'd have moved to UT instead of WA! LOL We don't do tight here. But, relax... breath.......

I read Deep's response twice and really thought it was a well written response, for the most part. I didn't read into it that he's attacking anyone. And of all peeps, that Brauma Corey doesn't need anyone to defend him! (hopefully he remembers me well enough to know I'm winking right now!) BUT DD doesn't realize that Corey was there with Dave and the lengths that Corey went to on the hill to bring Dave's body out. So, his statements could seem a bit "all knowing"......

I am glad this video was posted and has started 15 pages plus (all threads combined) of awareness. Be it negative or positive posts.... it is getting peeps attention!

to my favorite Utah Mafia peeps!

 

[Kevco]

Yep my pastor called me out, I do sincerely apologize for my melt down, I was always good at starting fights, it was the finishing I needed my buddies help with. B you nailed it, just ALOT went down on January 8th and old CC was right in the $hit. I think the point CC tried to make was no matter what precautions we take this sport has risks that you cant avoid, cept his wasnt near as sweet sounding as mine Anyway cut them risks down by doing as much as possible and live or ride to ride another day!

 

[ccpowder]

Thanks for the defense Kev, dont think people understood the point, but then again, maybe its cause I have the IQ of a pitbull.

The point is people have "Free-Will". I went to my daughters DARE graduation on Wednesday and the Police Officer said point blank that one or more of the kids would end up failing the program. All he can do is educate kids and give them the tools for prevention, but he cannot prevent it. And i guess he can yell at them or call them a dumbass or a stupid **** or tell them they have an IQ below 35 when they do fail, but as most people and parents know, that usually isnt the best way to get through to people.

Same with avalanches. You will never stop people from starting avalanches, you can only educate and give them the tools. What people do from there is up to them.

And the point about the trained professionals is that if they die doing something stupid, the public glamorizes their death. The other point is everyone has a choice and unless Obama takes that away, we live in a free nation and will continue to have that choice.

And not sure how you dont think riding a motorcycle on the streets is not similar?? How many motorcycle accidents do you think occur because somebody who has never ridden a motorcycle wants a bullet bike or even a Harley do not have the proper training or education about riding one, i.e. Defensive Driving for example. I have ridden on the streets for 20 years and I am scared to death everytime I go out.

The snowmobile community is no different than any other, we just to need continue to offer education and the proper tools.

BTW, saw the "Are you Beeping" sign up Soapstone, is this the only one?? Have not seen it anywhere else.

 

[NewMTNsldr]

My post was not a stab at anybody...read it again..it is onlky an attempt for some to try and get an understanding why others are concerned at different levels of saftey and why it really isnt a good idea to get upset about it. IF you look at any of my posts you will be very hard pressed to find a pot shot at anybody ever. Now you may want to clean up your cheap shots as you did not understand what I was even trying to say.. you really pushed the envelope with your , what I perceived as disrepectful comments to veterans. I never once thought military was better than a civ..I dont even know where you got that from. You need to study some Navy Spec. Warfare fundamentals and just maybe you might have some respect for those that allow you to be abale to have your freedoms in this country. I meant no personal attack to you or you friends..if I did you woiuld not have had to guess about it under any condition.

11 year vet here, I was in no way, shape or form offended by Kevco's comments to you, from a vet standpoint! He was not slamming vets, he was slamming your "I'm a VET so I know all attitude"

And just so you know, Your "You need to study some Navy Spec. Warfare fundamentals and just maybe you might have some respect for those that allow you to be abale to have your freedoms in this country." comment makes you sound like one of those over weight keyboard jockey's with pizza stains on top of sweet stains on top of your wife beater T-shirt kind of guy's....

Granted I don't know you from Adam just letting you know the perception.

 

[alrevedup]

I was speechless after I watched this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySWnOTOp_zE

WOW!!!!!!!!



WOW!!!!





Glad he is here to share the video


WOW!!!!

 

[Kevco]

My post was not a stab at anybody...read it again..it is onlky an attempt for some to try and get an understanding why others are concerned at different levels of saftey and why it really isnt a good idea to get upset about it. IF you look at any of my posts you will be very hard pressed to find a pot shot at anybody ever. Now you may want to clean up your cheap shots as you did not understand what I was even trying to say.. you really pushed the envelope with your , what I perceived as disrepectful comments to veterans. I never once thought military was better than a civ..I dont even know where you got that from. You need to study some Navy Spec. Warfare fundamentals and just maybe you might have some respect for those that allow you to be abale to have your freedoms in this country. I meant no personal attack to you or you friends..if I did you woiuld not have had to guess about it under any condition.

You know how many purple hearts I have in my family kiss my ***. At this point you go your way Ill go mine.

Thanks Mingo, deep thats what friends do! Right or wrong he has my back we all know each other and ride with each other and actually hang out when there isnt any snow. Know your auidience dip s hit.

 

[MN_Nole]

This video was just reposted back in general, as I had not seen it before. Wanted it to be out there incase others missed it. Beeson posted the link to this thead to me, but the video is back on top. Where it belongs, nothing is safe now.

 

[Rock Star]

I agree with Corey. give people the tools they need and they will make the best decison for them when faced with it.

I would also ride with and trust CC any day of the week.

I also get my friend's backs as needed. Knowing that if I disagree it is not like me to NOT tell them. And I would get a strangers back anytime it was needed. I just like a peaceful disagreement as needed. When the tone gets as hostile as I have seen here (call it passionate) it saddens me because it takes away from the discussion at hand.

I received a nice note from the camera man in this video after I sent him one as well. It's good to try the kind side of life. I think we both agree and I feel good about it now. Try kindness you all. It is a way to learn more. just my .02 but the anger here needs to be stopped.

I'd rather go back to busting balls. it's more fun!

And Brandy, You'd have loved it here. The Utards have a special place in their hearts for you.

 

[ccpowder]

I say the following as a joke: You must all be mormons!! You pick and choose what you feel like is right and wrong. I know mormons who hammer other people for drinking, yet they have no problem hitting the casino. Or how about the joke about why you take 2 mormons fishing with you?? If you only take 1, he will drink all your beer!! (I am mormon in case you are wondering)

^^^^^^^ Realy, I am shocked that you would try and pull that out even if it was meant as a joke. Not a lot of class right there.

For the record, I retract my apology Bubba. The funny thing is you proved my joke to be real. You pick and choose what is right and wrong. Take a look at the following link.

http://snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126920

Apparently, Bubba thinks it is funny to make fun of retarded people who cannot help the way they are, but one joke about a Mormon and he is up in my face. Talk about Class!!! I love when people put their foot in their mouth.

 

[Freak]

No one was making fun of retards in that post, although i would be happy to do so as i will make fun of anyone, unless of course you consider Hatchers a retard, oh wait.....

As for Mormons they are just like any other group, they are people and there are some who live what they preach and some who dont. Many who live a "freestyle" lifestyle love to point out whenever a Mormon doesnt live up to the standards they set for themselves.

 

[ccpowder]

Many who live a "freestyle" lifestyle love to point out whenever a Mormon doesnt live up to the standards they set for themselves.

Freestyle, I like that!! Didnt say anyone was making fun, said that Bubba thought your comment about "teaching a retard math" was funny, yet he didnt think my joke about mormons was too funny. He was just proving my point for me, so I thank him!!

 

[Freak]

Freestyle, I like that!! Didnt say anyone was making fun, said that Bubba thought your comment about "teaching a retard math" was funny, yet he didnt think my joke about mormons was too funny. He was just proving my point for me, so I thank him!!

to say you shouldnt get mad at a retard for being retarded is not making fun of retards, it was making fun of hatchers.