How many more have to die?

[PJ-Hunter]

Avalanches coming down all over and it's starting to scare the daylights out of me. I am afraid that the next one will be someone I know.

Wyoming avy deaths

Montana avy deaths

Colorado avy death

Colorado avy danger

Be careful, I know it's fun to climb the steep, but is it really worth it right now? Think of your family and friends!

 

[Mafesto]

Yea,
I said in another thread that I no longer look to see if anyone has died in an avalanche. I look to see how many have died in avalanches & if any buds from here were involved.

 

[yammerhammer]

Just a thought...

Do you think a beacon gives people a false sense of security? I have always
said, all a beacon is good for is to find your dead body. Don't ride those areas
if you don't want to die. This is why I chose to boondock in a realitivly flat
area. There is little to no chance of an avy. I take a lot of flack for not riding
other area's, the ones with the big open/steep faces. I have a family and
I don't want them to grow up without a father!

Flame away!!

 

[pwdrhogRMK800]

I wear a beacon and think that of course its better than not having one but also agree that it can help but that its also good for finding a body too late. I would like to get one of the new backpacks and try that out. I have changed my riding style over that last few years, its just not worth it. The best option is to stay off the big faces, with the snow this year there is plenty of fun to be had down in the trees and meadows!

 

[Mafesto]

It is fact that the typical avalanche victim is........

male
20's-early 30's
some avalanche training

some avalanche training
(I interpret that to mean that rather than changing our ways after realizing the consequenses of riding the steep, we instead tend to develope a false sense of security with this newfound wisdom)

 

[flatlander_99]

i am getting really friggn tired of loggin on here monday just to see what avy's happened on the weekend & praying they didn't take anyone i know. my heart aches from everyone killed already this year.

THIS HAS TO STOP!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sturgis Sledder]

No disrespect to anyone here but NONE of us HAS to die in an avalanche. Get trained, use the proper equipmentand training and THINK ! ! ! I hate hearing about fellow sledders as much as everyone else.

 

[ArcticBoy]

Some of it is more people riding that are starting on bigger sleds getting into areas that maybe they shouldn't. Another related problem I noticed at Baker on Sunday was people riding up around the uglies. While on the way back down from the upper railroad grade I noticed a family walking and standing about halfway down. I informed them that they were on a glacier and that they may standing over a snowbridge on a crevase(sp). Just because there are tracks, doesn't mean it's safe. I've seen the area during the late riding season and told them they would crap if they knew where they were. 1/2 hour later they moved on. I guess the morale of this story is, when you see something you know is wrong maybe try and help them out. I know many S.W,'s do this, so keep it up. I too am tired of reading the horrid stories.

 

[Cat Kid]

Does anyone know how many of the victims are resident mountian riders vs flatlanders on vacation? It seem like whenever I hear about avy's its people from my area who don't have a clue and think it won't happen to them.

I've been fighting an avy awarness battle in my group and am finally gaining some ground. A friend of mine told me a group of guys he hangs out with at college actually told another guy in their group that he couldn't ride with them anymore because he refused to spend the money to buy or rent a beacon because he thought it wasn't necessary.

A lot of flatlanders are just too ignorant for their own good.

 

[Mafesto]

Just don't buy into the rhetoric that it only happens to the uneducated & unprepared.

Watching "A Dozen More Turns" will show you it can happen to the brightest & most prepared.
(Thanks CatWoman, after clicking the link & watching, I proceeded to order a copy)
If anyone hasn't seen this.....do so!

 

[Wish]

So what is the toll this year now?

I agree this is getting ridiculous. I just get sick to my stomach, every time I open snowest there is an avy thread. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, but the amount of deaths...I almost wish it weren't a good snow year. I sure hope people are using their heads and we don't have to see any more.....
Everyone PLEASE ride safe and be smart, its not worth losing your life over....and I'm sure your family could do without the fear and heartache.

 

[PCDOC]

Just don't buy into the rhetoric that it only happens to the uneducated & unprepared.

Watching "A Dozen More Turns" will show you it can happen to the brightest & most prepared.
(Thanks CatWoman, after clicking the link & watching, I proceeded to order a copy)
If anyone hasn't seen this.....do so!

I just watched this yesterday in an avy class. It really drives the point home that no matter how "smart" you are an avy can get you. Our instructor, Mike Duffy, who has over 20 years backcountry experience and tons of avy training said the snowpack out west is the worst they have seen in 15 years. It is primed for avy's and the greatest precations need to be taken. I know our group will not be taking any risks while out west. Just play in the lower areas and stay clear of the sites that could slide. You can still have fun in the deep, just not the steep right now.

 

[PJ-Hunter]

Does anyone know how many of the victims are resident mountian riders vs flatlanders on vacation? It seem like whenever I hear about avy's its people from my area who don't have a clue and think it won't happen to them.

I've been fighting an avy awarness battle in my group and am finally gaining some ground. A friend of mine told me a group of guys he hangs out with at college actually told another guy in their group that he couldn't ride with them anymore because he refused to spend the money to buy or rent a beacon because he thought it wasn't necessary.

A lot of flatlanders are just too ignorant for their own good.

It just doesn't happen to flatlanders. Did you see the beginning of Slednecks X? Chris was fuggin lucky and I know he rides prepared and he is educated!

 

[POLZIN]

Good for them! If thats what it takes so be it.I am not as educated as I should be but knowing I lack in this area makes me hyper-catious I just cant see how its wort dying for .I bought my riding buddies becons one year for christmas it was a chunk to bite off but I dont ever regret having done so .

 

[Cat Kid]

I know its not just the uneducated, but i was wondering if anybody knew off the top of their head. Back east all we hear about is the road tripers from around here who get burried... unless of course we're active on here.