Moffit Basin Avy?

[AVA]

They did not plan to ride on steep terrain so they left their beacons and shovels in their vehicles at the trailhead.

Even if they didnt plan on riding steep terrain, who's to say they wouldnt have needed them to save somebody that did? Please people, it's so easy to put a beacon on every time you get on your sled. USE THEM! This is one case where there may have been a completely different outcome if he had chosen to wear his beacon.

Condolences to the family and friends of those involved.

 

[madsigntist]

So sad and regrettable. Condolences to His family.
No way to start the season.

No one plans for avys. That's just it. All you can do is prepare yourself and make sure those around you do the same. Mandatory!

Putting on your beacon should be just like your coat or helmet.
And always be aware of where your buds are. We have seen this too many times.

Arm yourself with the tools to go where your machine will take you or stay home.

 

[sled addiction]

They sure don't sound very experienced by that poor decision made at the truck. A decision that ultimately sealed his fate.


So So Sad!

your so very right a was a very bad decision that we made.
i did have a probe and shovel but it took me 20 to 30 min to find him,
but is was to late.

 

[sled_guy]

Not planned for

A few years ago my brother and I went for a late season ride up on the Mirror Lake. It was spring, hadn't snowed for 2 or more weeks. When we left the truck I didn't put on the beacon, figured in my head that no way was an avy going to happen that day.

I was climbing around to the north side of Baldy and cut a big uphill side hill, as I turned out the whole slope let go behind me. My trajectory carried me to the side and off the slide area... dumb friggin' luck, nothing else.

Since then I don't go anywhere without beacon, shovel and probe. Just when one thinks they are smarter than the avys the avys strike.

sled_guy

 

[ACG]

Even if they didnt plan on riding steep terrain, who's to say they wouldnt have needed them to save somebody that did? Please people, it's so easy to put a beacon on every time you get on your sled. USE THEM! This is one case where there may have been a completely different outcome if he had chosen to wear his beacon.

Condolences to the family and friends of those involved.

Even if it is just a road ride with the girlfriend, all of my gear goes with me, ALL of the time. It is just habit, if you neglect to wear it once, you will keep on neglecting to wear it. It's not like it is an ordeal to put on your beacon. Takes me longer to get my bibs on then my beacon...

If they both had beacons I think the outcome would have been different. His buddy had to ride to the top to call for help before he started searching...

Sad story none the less.

 

[mgcm1000]

Another sad part of this story is there is a guy out there that made the same decision and now his friend is dead and he has to live with that. There is no doubt in my mind that he has thought a million times in the last 2 days "why him and not me?" Our thoughts and prayers need to go out to him and his family for peace and healing as well.

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

My condolences! Every time I read this stuff I realize there are a lot of lives terribly and forever negatively affected. He/they may love sledding, as do I and many of us, but I will guarantee they love those they leave behind more! We all need to be prepared with all the right equipment and skills. But, the most important thing we will ever take to the mountain is between our ears, and knowing how to use it is critical! May all of these cumulative sad and tragic experiences and loss of life give us all a little more wisdom!!!

 

[sledhead ut]

It's very unfortunate but we all learn from these horrible experiences. And yes, it will happen again.

One thing I hear all the time is I'm not climbing anything today or I don't ride like that, so I don't need a beacon. I have relatives with the same attitude and I will not ride with them just for that reason. You may not ride like that but other people do (right or wrong) and you may have to watch somebody die because you weren't prepared that day because you don't ride like that.

BE PREPARED, if not for yourself maybe somebody else.

 

[KSH]

your so very right a was a very bad decision that we made.
i did have a probe and shovel but it took me 20 to 30 min to find him,
but is was to late.

You were #2 of the two riders?

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Bigrock33]

I have changed my riding completely over the past few years. retired the turbo Apex and have a new ProRMK 155 for this year. One, I am getting older, two, too many personal experiences with losing someone that I know in an avy (three in three years), and three, I ride a lot with my son and daughter (extended family and close friends at times as well). I am scared chitless of avy's now. I cannot imagine being in one or having one of my family/close friends in one and trying to save them. Although we now stay relatively clear of avy prone areas, spend more time on rolling hills/meadows, trees, etc, we NEVER leave the truck without beacon, probe and shovel. Chit happens! I also want to have those with me in case we are ever needed to try and rescue someone else. I love this sport, but I love life more. Stay safe ya all.

 

[skibreeze]

Even if it is just a road ride with the girlfriend, all of my gear goes with me, ALL of the time. It is just habit, if you neglect to wear it once, you will keep on neglecting to wear it. It's not like it is an ordeal to put on your beacon. Takes me longer to get my bibs on then my beacon...

If they both had beacons I think the outcome would have been different. His buddy had to ride to the top to call for help before he started searching...

Sad story none the less.

IMO, there is no reason to call for help first. The victim has only minutes to live, the most important thing is to get them unburied.

Calling for help before finding the victim does nothing to help save his life unless that help is seconds away.

 

[sled addiction]

You were #2 of the two riders?

Sorry for your loss.

yes i was, just denny and me.
it was a very alone feeling ill tell you

 

[sled addiction]

IMO, there is no reason to call for help first. The victim has only minutes to live, the most important thing is to get them unburied.

Calling for help before finding the victim does nothing to help save his life unless that help is seconds away.

i did try looking first for 15 min or so by then i knew it was to late so then i called for help from right at the seen.
then i looked at the end of the slide and within 20 foot from the end of the slide i seen the tip of the ski sticking out of the snow,
i probed around the sled and found nothing.
started working mt way above the sled and within 8 ft i found him
he was only under the snow about foot and a half
all this happend within 30 min
but could not revive him

 

[Ephratafarmer]

Very very sorry, for your loss. ( In this sport it can happen to any of us, please, at this time don't point, just pray for them ) thanks

 

[sledhead ut]

sled addiction: I assume it was you I talked with by the BR Gate.
As I said then I'll say again. I am so so sorry for your loss. I can't begin to imagine what you're going through. Peace be with everybody who suffers from this tragic loss.

 

[DragonFreak]

very sad story. I hope for the best for all the family and friends. Everyone please be safe including myself

 

[sled addiction]

sled addiction: I assume it was you I talked with by the BR Gate.
As I said then I'll say again. I am so so sorry for your loss. I can't begin to imagine what you're going through. Peace be with everybody who suffers from this tragic loss.

yes it was i ride one of the new red polaris pro
we meet a couple of years ago when you where rideing your new dragon up the whitney road.
i parked right by out was rideing the rzr
your family was building a snow man
was that you?

 

[Dam Dave]

IMO, there is no reason to call for help first. The victim has only minutes to live, the most important thing is to get them unburied.

Calling for help before finding the victim does nothing to help save his life unless that help is seconds away.

disagree, if a secondary avalanche is triggered by you then who will get help on the way, just like they teach in any good first aid/CPR class, get help coming first then help the victim

 

[ACG]

disagree, if a secondary avalanche is triggered by you then who will get help on the way, just like they teach in any good first aid/CPR class, get help coming first then help the victim

Disagree. Most places I ride I don't get cell reception. When you have 15 minutes to live buried, I'm going to take my chances and find the safe way in and hopefully not trigger another slide and start looking for my buddy and then call for help.

It depends on the situation and how many people, but say 3 people and one gets buried, you both better be looking, get the guys airway open and then call for help if need be. That is what they preach in all the avy classes anyway...

 

[sledhead ut]

yes it was i ride one of the new red polaris pro
we meet a couple of years ago when you where rideing your new dragon up the whitney road.
i parked right by out was rideing the rzr
your family was building a snow man
was that you?

Holy Crap, you are right! (Nov. 08).
Now I am blown away. What a small world.
We feel so bad we weren't in a better position to help. Damn it!

I think we passed each other a couple times. Was your buddy on a Yamaha and was he on the Forum?