Hey guys I was the one who Bubba700 is talking about that got buried. I was not wearing a beacon. Was it stupid of me? Yes. I have been riding that area for years and never thought it was possible to get in an avalanche up there, especially of that magnitude. In fact that is why I liked this area so much because it is such an easy area to get to and boondock in, and not have to worry about triggering slides. I was wrong. This just goes to show that no matter how good you think you know the area/snow conditions anything can happen. The whole mountain slid and didnt leave any snow on the hillside. Im willing to bet the avalanche is more than 15-20 feet deep in some spots. The onlyBFC (my buddy that saved me) was at the bottom of the hill when i triggered the slide and it hit him full force and threw him and took him about 100 yards before he stopped. He was partially buried and wouldnt have been able to get out if it wasnt for pure adrenaline and help from above. The only thing he could see of mine was the ski tip of my sled. I was about 10 feet from my sled. Luckily before I ran out of air i was able to move my arm enough (i couldnt move anything else) in the direction that i thought was up and that made the snow settle above the area of movement. I still dont know how he was able to get to that spot and actually be able to see it, especially since it was near dark and it was hard to see anything. He went with his gut feeling and started to dig and found my arm and several minutes later got to my head. I was dead when he found me. I dont know how long I was dead, but it was at least 5 minutes. My helmet was packed with snow and he took my helmet off and cleared the snow out of my mouth and cleared some more snow off of me when I started to breathe. I was still unconscience and was barely breathing. He continued to dig and dig and was so tired and exhausted that he started to cough up blood. I finally came back and was able to talk but it took me awhile to realize where I was and what had happened. When I was underneath that heavy wet snow it was so compacted that I couldnt move my chest and I had no air. It only took me about 20-30 seconds of trying to gasp for air and then I suffocated to death. The feelings and thoughts of those few precious moments I dont ever want to experience again. I felt so helpless and desperate. Luckily I have no brain damage due to lack of oxygen (I hope at least) and I am very sore but alive. I want everyone that is reading this to know that I am not telling this story to make heroes out of anyone even though there were heroes in this story, but to explain the grim reality of what it is like to be buried and actually die in an avalanche. It is nothing short of a miracle that I am able to enjoy life today. As fun as riding sleds is, it is NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE. Pay attention to avalanche forecasts, wear beacons, and never think that something like this cant happen to you. Im sure I can speak for the many people that have died in avalanches by saying I never thought that it could happen me. Well it does happen and it will continue to happen. Please be safe out there!
