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My buddy and I traveled to the snowies on 1/8 for the Avy class that was to be held that night. Our intent was to ride a few hours (from Snowy Mtn Lodge) that day, head to the class, ride the next day and travel home on Saturday morning.
Unfortunately late in the day on 1/8 we ended up down in French Creek, south of Lake Marie just below the split where two creeks come together. We thought we were heading down in to an open meadow area to play when it suddently got very steep and so steep that my buddy leading waived me off. If he went any further he would have dropped off a very steep back in to the creek, needless to say we spent an hour trying to get him back out and it was too steep and two much fresh snow so we decided to try to double up on my sled out. Unfortunately we had very few outs and continued to get stuck, with my sled now close to creek about 500' south of his we decided our only way out was to drop in to the creek bed with hopes of riding the creek bed out or better hoping it opened up.
We dropped in to the creek bed and were immediately stuck with nothing but very steep banks on both side, large boulders and open water and no way out with two guys. We immediately decided to hunker down for the night and pull the pin on my buddies' distress signal watch (the type pilots wear). Many planes flew over and we hoped they got our signal but to no avail.
We did have a bag of survival items, (thermal blanket, protein bars, lights, matches etc), the night really sucked but could have been worse. It snowed a foot on us that night but luckily was not super cold.
At sunrise we knew our only way out was to hike out to lake Marie where there is always guys climbing the hill. I collapsed due to exhaustion and a badly torn right calf muscle (not from this incident) at what we believe was about the five mile mark and 5 hours in, my buddy luckily was able to keep going and make it to Lake Marie by about 3:00 (yes 8 hours for what we believe was likely 7ish miles). After collapsing in exhaustion and very delirious some other sledders took him to Snowy Mtn Lodge where he was able to tell Kody (helps search and rescue) exactly where I was. Just before dark Kody arrived to get me out (THANK GOD) which he did with ease.
Good news is that we survived, I was fine, my buddy had some frostbite on his toes (due to getting them wet in creek) but will be fine.
Someone asked me what we had that was helpful for survival, I'll share with you;
1. Extra gas on sled for fire, the cedars we were under would not stay burning, so we essentially warmed up time to time with gas.
2. Space or thermal blankets, saved our *****, provided even more insulation with the fresh foot of snow on top of us.
3. Energy bars.
4. Matches and lighter....absolute must have.
5. The sled seat for one guy to sit on and the tunnel bag for the other guy. I also use the seat instead of shovel to hike out with due to bad leg. Very helpful when crawiling and using as a crutch when able to walk, also great to sit on when I was again forced to hunker down.
6. Garmin Rhrinos to be able to communicate and mark locations.
Items we did not have that I will have by COB Monday.
1. Spot Messenger
2. Flares for light and fire starter
3. Extra gloves and hats
4. Hotties hand and feet warmers
5. Additional space blankets.
We could have made it another night or two but it would have been tough. With the additional items listed above it would have been much easier. Not a fun one but certainly a good learning experience. Will not be in areas we don't absolutely know that late in the day and with only two guys and will be more prepared to spend the night if ever happens again which I pray it doesn't.
Also a HUGE THANKS to Kody at Snowy Mtn Lodge, not only did he save my life, he is going above and beyond is rescuing our sleds and gear we left on the Mtn. I am indebted to the man forever!
Be safe and Happy Riding.
My buddy and I traveled to the snowies on 1/8 for the Avy class that was to be held that night. Our intent was to ride a few hours (from Snowy Mtn Lodge) that day, head to the class, ride the next day and travel home on Saturday morning.
Unfortunately late in the day on 1/8 we ended up down in French Creek, south of Lake Marie just below the split where two creeks come together. We thought we were heading down in to an open meadow area to play when it suddently got very steep and so steep that my buddy leading waived me off. If he went any further he would have dropped off a very steep back in to the creek, needless to say we spent an hour trying to get him back out and it was too steep and two much fresh snow so we decided to try to double up on my sled out. Unfortunately we had very few outs and continued to get stuck, with my sled now close to creek about 500' south of his we decided our only way out was to drop in to the creek bed with hopes of riding the creek bed out or better hoping it opened up.
We dropped in to the creek bed and were immediately stuck with nothing but very steep banks on both side, large boulders and open water and no way out with two guys. We immediately decided to hunker down for the night and pull the pin on my buddies' distress signal watch (the type pilots wear). Many planes flew over and we hoped they got our signal but to no avail.
We did have a bag of survival items, (thermal blanket, protein bars, lights, matches etc), the night really sucked but could have been worse. It snowed a foot on us that night but luckily was not super cold.
At sunrise we knew our only way out was to hike out to lake Marie where there is always guys climbing the hill. I collapsed due to exhaustion and a badly torn right calf muscle (not from this incident) at what we believe was about the five mile mark and 5 hours in, my buddy luckily was able to keep going and make it to Lake Marie by about 3:00 (yes 8 hours for what we believe was likely 7ish miles). After collapsing in exhaustion and very delirious some other sledders took him to Snowy Mtn Lodge where he was able to tell Kody (helps search and rescue) exactly where I was. Just before dark Kody arrived to get me out (THANK GOD) which he did with ease.
Good news is that we survived, I was fine, my buddy had some frostbite on his toes (due to getting them wet in creek) but will be fine.
Someone asked me what we had that was helpful for survival, I'll share with you;
1. Extra gas on sled for fire, the cedars we were under would not stay burning, so we essentially warmed up time to time with gas.
2. Space or thermal blankets, saved our *****, provided even more insulation with the fresh foot of snow on top of us.
3. Energy bars.
4. Matches and lighter....absolute must have.
5. The sled seat for one guy to sit on and the tunnel bag for the other guy. I also use the seat instead of shovel to hike out with due to bad leg. Very helpful when crawiling and using as a crutch when able to walk, also great to sit on when I was again forced to hunker down.
6. Garmin Rhrinos to be able to communicate and mark locations.
Items we did not have that I will have by COB Monday.
1. Spot Messenger
2. Flares for light and fire starter
3. Extra gloves and hats
4. Hotties hand and feet warmers
5. Additional space blankets.
We could have made it another night or two but it would have been tough. With the additional items listed above it would have been much easier. Not a fun one but certainly a good learning experience. Will not be in areas we don't absolutely know that late in the day and with only two guys and will be more prepared to spend the night if ever happens again which I pray it doesn't.
Also a HUGE THANKS to Kody at Snowy Mtn Lodge, not only did he save my life, he is going above and beyond is rescuing our sleds and gear we left on the Mtn. I am indebted to the man forever!
Be safe and Happy Riding.
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