Providence Canyon Avalanche Really Struck A Nerve

[sled175]

http://m.ksl.com/index/story/sid/28384317#

First off if you're going to ride the back country be prepared and have the equipment to give yourself a fighting chance when an avalanche does happen. Atleast have a beacon so when others come that are prepared they can have a chance to find you before its to late. I hear they had one shovel which was buried and no beacons.

There is no "safe terrain" up Prov, I've seen avalanches come right down on the trail by the quarry. The fair grounds and rodeo grounds are definitely not "safe terrain". Look at the history of that hill! Nobody in there right mind should go on it or around it after what happend 5 years ago!

This is just the icing on the cake your brother/son is literally dying right before your eyes and what do you do? You pull out your camera to snap a picture?! Seriously?!

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[2XM3]

Crazy, no beacons, one shovel, no training, no packs.....in a high danger area its a miracle the kids alive at all.

 

[OEUnlimited]

Is it weird that the younger son thought to stop and take pictures of his buried brother? I think I'd be in panic mode, digging, etc!!

 

[Sickbuild]

Refresh what happened 5 yrs ago if you don't mind? Nobody should be up there? why?... Just curious that's right where I try to go from early 90s till now. Yes it can be unsafe! So can crossing the road. Yes they should have been prepared and smarter. But there are times in peoples lives where funds may not allow the " right gear" to be used. But, It still beats letting them sit home playing xbox till they turn gay. Will they do things different? I'm sure they will, glad they are safe.

 

[sled175]

What happend five years ago is in this link. On the same hill with same high advisory. Diffrence between now and then is there was 10 times the snow then and they were buried 10+ feet. http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116838

I understand that maybe they couldn't afford beacons but instead of going sledding one or two weekends and filling your sleds and truck with fuel oil take that money and become a little more prepared.

I hate being an a$s but taking a picture of him while he's still in real danger of losing his life rather than digging him free is messed up. If it was one of my brothers the last thing I'd do is stop digging.

I've been involved with 4 rescues yes I have pictures but I rip the pictures from my video footage that records continues through my goggles.

 

[kevinm7]

First off... Thank God the kid is alive. He is VERY lucky. He probably doesn't know how lucky he really is. Nor does his family.

It really is unfortunate that people think "That won't happen to me. I don't need that stuff." Yes you do. If you don't have it, you don't ride. Period. sled175 said it perfect. If you can't afford the gear, then take a month off and save the money you would have spent on gas for the sleds and fuel for the truck. Now you can buy the basic gear. Your family deserves to be protected.

My wife won't let me leave the house unless she knows I have my avy bag, shovel, probe and beacon. And EXTRA beacons. If you don't have gear, you don't ride with me. Just last week my buddy told me "Well I don't plan on leaving the road so I'm not wearing my beacon." I said, "If you don't put it on, I'm going home." He put his beacon on...

It takes this kind of commitment from EVERYONE on the mountain to ensure not only your own safety, but everyone is your groups. Remember, the beacon is not only for you to find someone, but for someone to find you.... Be safe and use good judgment.

 

[Blk88GT]

Kevin, well said! I agree!!!!

 

[James T Kirk]

If someone stopped digging me out at that point to take a photo while pretty much standing on my head they better cover their shovel in oil cause Id shove it right up their A$$ the minute I got out. WTF is wrong with people?

 

[IceCap]

Bottom line... If you can afford a sled, even a old one you can afford to buy safety gear!

Or just don't bother getting into the sport!

 

[05900]

Stupid is right there! If he died would you still post the pic? Get off his friggin head azzclowns! Bet that pic made his momma right proud probably put it on the fridge.

Yet it happens all the time. Sat at Togwotee East facing terrain trap was hit and hit back..buried rider who had someone get him out. Was lucky enough to help dig his own sled out.
Probably doesn't have quite as cool a memento as the kid above though!

 

[M8Chris]

I couldn't believe that these people didn't have any avy gear and I couldn't believe how stupid they were to go anywhere near that hill. People need to use their heads no one is superman.

 

[fast8seccamaro]

I think you can rent beacons around Edmonton for about 10-15$ a day! They're good about it, rent it on thur and bring it back tues and they only charge you the 2 day if you tell them the other 2 days are travel days! And I'm the same way! If you don't have the gear, I won't ride with you! It goes both ways, everyone needs a beacon to either find someone or be found!