Island Park Avalanche!

[hotshot]

We had a really scarry incident yesterday while riding the backside of the Centenialls. My buddy, his son and I were in a little canyon that we ride all the time, playing on a hill that we have climbed several times. After each of us hit the hill several times, my buddy triggered an avalanche. He was only 30-40 yards up the hill when it triggered. It broke in two phases, first straight across from where he turned out, then seconds later the entire mountain slid...roughly 150 yards wide by 175-225 yards up the hill (though heavily forested). It carried him about 100 yards, throwing him like a rag doll. He went under then resurfaced several times. He did a good job swimming and it spit him out the bottom buried from the chest down. It broke lose clear to the dirt and piled in the bottom as much as 20 feet deep. Scarred the crap out of us!!! But luckily we were all safe with no injuries. Avalanche Danger is still HIGH!! And yes we were wearing beacons. I wear an ABS pack, he was not. Sorry about the quality of pics. They were taken with my cell phone. Pictures do no justice for the magnitude.

 

[up-high]

Glad everyone is OK. Now, if avy danger is still rated high, what were you doing climbing ? Your buddy is lucky it didn't push him through a tree!

 

[hotshot]

Call it bad judgement. We passed up on several hills that we thought would slide. Sometimes you look at a hill (like this one) and say that will never slide. Never say never is all I can say. Avalanche danger report is only moderate but we still have to be smart. We are all seasoned riders but sometimes you still make mistakes.

 

[scoop]

same area

I to was riding Idaho montana border yesterday, just 20 miles west of the centennials, but same mountain range and saw where several avalanches let go... Same way right down to the dirt. It's very unstable right now so all be careful!!!!!! I'm glad to hear that you are all alright.

 

[Pastor]

Thank you for getting this information out.

I would not have expected any avalanche to go all the way to the dirt this late in the season.

This kind of warning may save a life.

Thanks again

 

[Powderhound]

I ride with Hot shot and have been in the above canyon many times. It is in the Keg springs area and is not you upper bowls. It is a medium hill thay most of us would play on. Good tree cover to make it interesting. What Hot Shot was saying is that no matter what the avy reports are saying right now the chances of an Avy are higher that we believe them to be. I can back up Hot Shot if the avy reports were at High he would NEVER be on a hill. If it wasnt for a bad day at work I would have been in there with them. Could have been me in the middle of it. I am so glad that Rob was okay and made it out. We have talked about it non stop for the past two days. PLEASE !!!!! be careful out there.. Thanks for the pics bryon. I have talked to Rob and he is going to be on here an tell the story from his point of view and what was going through his head as it was happening

Stay Tuned it is a very educational story !!!!!

 

[hotshot]

Educational Story?!!! LOL... Educated on how to clean my shorts!

 

[cowboysedge]

Avalanche danger report is only moderate but we still have to be smart. We are all seasoned riders but sometimes you still make mistakes.

Xtreme: Wide spread areas of unstable snow exist and avalanches are certain on some slopes. Backcountry travel should be avoided.
High: Mostly unstable snow exists on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Natural avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Considerable: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.
Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.
Low: Mostly stable snow exists. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets

In the last couple of weeks I have listened to people tell me that the avy danger was only Moderate the day my friends lost thier lives in the Dry Fork Drainage Avalanche!

I just want to make sure everyone knows just what Moderate means!

This was the Advisory for 2/27/09 in the area that my friends were riding in.

G E N E R A L - A V A L A N C H E - A D V I S O R Y
The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. West-southwest winds have formed new soft slabs to two feet in depth on leeward aspects. These surface slabs could be triggered by humans who venture into steep avalanche starting zones with fresh deposits of wind blown snow. A remote potential for large loads to trigger full depth avalanches may persist in isolated areas


I would also like to say I am glad you guys are all right.

 

[rmk-rider]

I think that the abs airbags are the way to go, although I have never had to use one I still feel safer with it on my back just incase. Glad everyone is ok.

 

[Rock Star]

interesting!!!! THIS is not a normal year! repeat that. Rips to the ground will occure until it all melts they are saying..... and Moderate KILLS! glad you all were not 20 feet under. holy crap!

maybe it's time to change the way the avy ratings read.

Low
could die
gonna die
you're dead

People just don't seem to get it. More do these days but that little voice gets ignored and wham! do it right 1000 times and all is well. One mistake and it's party over.

Some times ya just have luck on your side. I am VERY happy that you did. Clean those shorts and get back out there some place safe.

This spring is going to be ugly!!!!!!!