Sicamous avalanche

[cobbycat]

Seriously??? $200-250 is too much for a course??? If you can't afford that, how can you afford a becon... or better yet a sled and fuel, gear, helmet etc?

The cost of the courses isn't the limiting factor in getting educated... it is lack of motivation to take the course... get people motivated (by not letting the purchase a new mountain sled until they are certified or not letting them on the hill without safety gear)

The scary thing is that in our litigious society, someone will try to sue the local sledding society after an accident saying that it was their responsibility to make sure the riders using their trail/riding area weren't warned of the safety needs that were required up on the hill... mark my words that this is going to happen one day!

RIP! I hate hearing these! Please ride safe and make these threads stop!!!

my crew just took an avy course and I believe it saved our lives yesterday. take it and use it, hopefully you don't need the search part but it did come in handy yesterday on owlshead. TAKE THE COURSE!!!

 

[Stephy]

My thoughts and prayers go to EVERYONE involved...life changed yesterday for a lot of different people.
I understand that we are all confused/mad/frustrated, ect as to why he wasn't prepared for the backcountry and I 100% agree...I hope people will take his family and friends into consideration when posting about this tragedy...
I have gotten to the point in my life where I am a snow snob...if you aren't prepared in everyway, knowing how to use your equipment, knowing what to stay away from that particular day, etc...I can't ride with you. In situations where someone NEW who isn't prepared HAS to go with my group...I will give them MY beacon and I take MY SPARE...I take half hour at least in the parking lot to show them how to use it...along with the other equipment. I pack two sets...one always is extra for those who forgot or don't have equipment that day...its my life on the line as well as theirs.
I am scared and saddend everytime I read an avy thread because OUR world of sledding is so small and it hits home no matter where it occured.
I commend the searchers and friends for staying and doing the task...trust me I have been there and it is the worst thing you can possibly do. So everyone please listen to my rant and be careful, watch the signs, reports, your gut feelings....we can't loose any more...

Godspeed Rider

 

[Alberta Boy]

my crew just took an avy course and I believe it saved our lives yesterday. take it and use it, hopefully you don't need the search part but it did come in handy yesterday on owlshead. TAKE THE COURSE!!!

Great post... hopefully messages like this will convince peeps to spend the money on the "insurance policy"!

 

[Griz]

I'm confused, even this morning on the news they are still reporting a missing sledder in Sicamous. Was there 2 different slides with victims?

 

[cobbycat]

I'm confused, even this morning on the news they are still reporting a missing sledder in Sicamous. Was there 2 different slides with victims?

the news is wrong, 1 guy caught, 1 avy, and he is off the hill.

 

[sledhound]

Understand we can minimize the risk through training and use of proper gear, but the fact is 100% will leave to go sledding but only 99% of us are coming home. My advice give your wife and kids or just loved ones big hug and tell them how much you love them before you leave, because it could be the last time they see you. My condolences to the young mans family and friends

 

[Zachcreek]

Check your beacons for fresh batteries, and make sure it is working. I will scan the parking lot before we go out to see who has their becons on with my unit. (For Recieve) Another way to check your unit (send) is to get an old phone handset, put your unit on send and you should here the signal.

Had a kid tell all of us at breakfast the other morning that his batteries have been good for the last 3 years. Having the stuff is great, knowing its working is even better.

We will get together for a few beers at times and hide a beacon and a beer. Need another beer, find it with your beacon.

I hate reading these posts. Please be careful, but be as prepared as possible.

 

[Rock Star]

Being a Snow Snob is Fine, Stephy! We all are here too. Bury a friend and that happens. NO beacon, no shovel, no probe, no education... not coming with us. We can't save you and you can't save us. ALSO, the times the snow is the MOST dangerous seem to be the times that the powder riding in safe areas is the best. Being sensitive to those just lost this year keeps me off my soap box right now but those who know me know I preach. I wish more would. This is crazy. When these great organizations that predict conditions tell us it is unsafe, why ignore that warning? every loss on a sled in Utah this year was avoidable. I Read all the reports from North America... Except for the 3 in-bounds deaths at a few ski areas, every single lost skier, boarder, sledder... would still be here for their family had they not ventured out into harms way when conditions were unfavorable. There are accidents in life. There are also avoidable tragedys. Lots of idea about licenses, mandatory courses, regulations etc. The best avy equipment you can own is the head on your shoulders. Freak stated last week that it is also the people you ride with. TRUE. Watch your self, watch your friends.. even watch out for people you see making a bad decision. You could save a life. sorry for the rant. It opens a wound for me/us. Peace out.

 

[Rock Star]

the news is wrong, 1 guy caught, 1 avy, and he is off the hill.

actually.....http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/12/avalanche-search.html

 

[M5-]

It all comes down to good decisions. After a 26 hour trip to Sicamous this week we arrived pretty stressed out and anxious to rip it up but in the end we decided to walk away from anything over 10 degrees slope. You drive all that way and get all jacked to ride and its easy to just poke 1 hill once you get there, but you just have to leave it for another day when conditions are better. Its better to turn and run away and live to fight another day or how ever that saying goes.
JMO.

M5

 

[cobbycat]

actually.....http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/12/avalanche-search.html

just talking about the enderby/ sicamous avy, and I was there from start to finnish!!

 

[oregunrmk]

R.I.P.
Prayers to the familys and friends who had to witness. Please do not let this young man die in vain, lets learn something here people. Play hard but be safe.

 

[summitguy]

Very sad news indeed. Just read the avy report for the area that day and all the warnings were there. Take the time to read these guys and gals and heed the warnings... don't wanna read about any more of these tragedies!

 

[Transporter]

Being a Snow Snob is Fine, Stephy! We all are here too. Bury a friend and that happens. NO beacon, no shovel, no probe, no education... not coming with us. We can't save you and you can't save us. ALSO, the times the snow is the MOST dangerous seem to be the times that the powder riding in safe areas is the best. Being sensitive to those just lost this year keeps me off my soap box right now but those who know me know I preach. I wish more would. This is crazy. When these great organizations that predict conditions tell us it is unsafe, why ignore that warning? every loss on a sled in Utah this year was avoidable. I Read all the reports from North America... Except for the 3 in-bounds deaths at a few ski areas, every single lost skier, boarder, sledder... would still be here for their family had they not ventured out into harms way when conditions were unfavorable. There are accidents in life. There are also avoidable tragedys. Lots of idea about licenses, mandatory courses, regulations etc. The best avy equipment you can own is the head on your shoulders. Freak stated last week that it is also the people you ride with. TRUE. Watch your self, watch your friends.. even watch out for people you see making a bad decision. You could save a life. sorry for the rant. It opens a wound for me/us. Peace out.

Exactly.I feel terrible for his family but there is alot of riding to be done around there that is safe, or you could just stay home for a while,its getting so bad now with all the deaths that I dont even tell anyone that I sled because everyone thinks we are idiots for doing so even though there is safe riding to be done in the mountains.

 

[RMKcowboy]

Another young life lost... what a tragedy. RIP

 

[DARKO]

Missing snowmobiler found dead
by Contributed - Story: 44329
Jan 12, 2009 / 8:16 am



Late yesterday afternoon the body of the male who was snowmobiling in the Mara Mountain area was located.

Three men where sledding alone when the avalanche occurred, they sent out a call for help and then approx 30 fellow snowmobilers in the area responded to assist in the search.

Numerous people with a high level of avalanche skill started probing for the missing man and because he was not wearing a beacon it took some time for them to locate him.

The body of Matt Simmons, 24, of the Enderby area was transported out to Salmon Arm hospital last evening. The police are working with the coroners department on this investigation.

The police are reminding anyone who is venturing into the back country to be aware of the avalanche danger and to be prepared and carry the proper equipment to assist yourself should you become lost, hurt or caught in an avalanche.

 

[cobbycat]

Missing snowmobiler found dead
by Contributed - Story: 44329
Jan 12, 2009 / 8:16 am



Late yesterday afternoon the body of the male who was snowmobiling in the Mara Mountain area was located.

Three men where sledding alone when the avalanche occurred, they sent out a call for help and then approx 30 fellow snowmobilers in the area responded to assist in the search.

Numerous people with a high level of avalanche skill started probing for the missing man and because he was not wearing a beacon it took some time for them to locate him.

The body of Matt Simmons, 24, of the Enderby area was transported out to Salmon Arm hospital last evening. The police are working with the coroners department on this investigation.

The police are reminding anyone who is venturing into the back country to be aware of the avalanche danger and to be prepared and carry the proper equipment to assist yourself should you become lost, hurt or caught in an avalanche.

thanks darko, just a couple small changes to your report.

over 50 fellow sledders came to help us and calls were made to 911 from both a spot tracker and my cell phone abuot 10-15 min after burrial.

the 3 involved had NO avy equipment!!!

slide occurred at approx 12:15-12:30

matt's friend that was with him had to be airlifted out as well due to exhaustion, shock and he was very cold due to sweating and exposure.

want to thank all fellow sledders for their exhausting work and dedication!

 

[moto.racerx]

thanks darko, just a couple small changes to your report.

over 50 fellow sledders came to help us and calls were made to 911 from both a spot tracker and my cell phone abuot 10-15 min after burrial.

the 3 involved had NO avy equipment!!!

slide occurred at approx 12:15-12:30

matt's friend that was with him had to be airlifted out as well due to exhaustion, shock and he was very cold due to sweating and exposure.

want to thank all fellow sledders for their exhausting work and dedication!

RIP

 

[KFD070]

I just want to commend all the guys involved in the search for their incredible efforts. Likely a day in your lives you will never forget. Hats off to all of you!!! (x10 for all 50)

Something I want to add.
I've got a lot of mixed emotions on this whole topic. I don't carry a beacon because I don't put myself, or anyone I take out in harm's way. On the other, hand I've dedicated my life to saving lives and should I come across a situation such as yesterday's I probably couldn't live with myself not being able to be of assistance in the search and possible successful recovery of a fellow sledder.
But....I've seen so much death over my 20 years as a career Firefighter that I've become somewhat jaded with all the Idiots who have created deadly situations out of their own Stupidity which in turn has caused their lives to be lost or drastically changed. Why should I feel sorry for them and why should I feel a responsibility to help??????? Rushing in to assist in an avy search putting myself in harm's way............ For those of you who so bravely assisted in a search yesterday for someone you may have had no connection to, there is no doubt in your minds today that you would risk everything again given the same situation...but....do it 5, 10, 20, 30 times and you will begin to question and possibly even re-consider your actions realizing you did not create the situation...they did. You have a family to go home to.

AAAAHHHH SCREW IT! I"M GOING TO BUY A BEACON !!!!!!!

 

[CoyoteGirl]

My thoughts and prayers go to EVERYONE involved...life changed yesterday for a lot of different people.
I understand that we are all confused/mad/frustrated, ect as to why he wasn't prepared for the backcountry and I 100% agree...I hope people will take his family and friends into consideration when posting about this tragedy...

YES PLEASE DOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am scared and saddend everytime I read an avy thread because OUR world of sledding is so small and it hits home no matter where it occured.

It is gut wrenching to see these posts happening OVER and OVER.

I commend the searchers and friends for staying and doing the task...trust me I have been there and it is the worst thing you can possibly do. So everyone please listen to my rant and be careful, watch the signs, reports, your gut feelings....we can't loose any more...

x2
Godspeed Rider