The total is up to (3) this weekend in MT.

[Spaarky]

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18


Good Morning. This is Mark Staples with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Sunday, January 18 at 7:30 a.m. Island Park Adventures and Yamaha, in cooperation with the Friends of the Avalanche Center, sponsor today’s advisory. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.


THREE AVALANCHE FATALITIES


Yesterday there were three avalanche fatalities in southwest Montana, two outside the advisory area and one within. One avalanche fatality occurred in the mountains north of Cooke City near Daisy Pass. This was a massive avalanche, and we have few details. Doug and I will be going to Cooke City today for an investigation and will have more details in tomorrow’s advisory.


Another avalanche occurred near Mt Jefferson in the Centennial Range. The victim was wearing a beacon, but was buried under 8 ft of snow and it took 30 minutes to extricate him. More details can be found at: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_id_avalanche_death.html


A third avalanche fatality occurred in the Gravelly Range near Black Butte. This avalanche was 200 ft wide and ran 75 vertical feet. It occurred on an east facing slope at 9000ft. A group of 14 riders met in a meadow and noticed someone from the group was missing. They searched for him and found his sled in avalanche debris at the base of a small slope. Everyone was carrying rescue gear and began a beacon search. They immediately detected a signal from the victim’s beacon and found him under 2 feet of snow. Once they got him out of the debris they performed CPR. The victim was buried for approximately 15 minutes. This was an experienced group of riders well equipped with rescue gear and aware of current avalanche conditions with no intentions of climbing steep slopes. Photos of this avalanche are posted at:

http://www.mtavalanche.com/photos/photos.php

A video clip can be seen at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFMi1gtaH-o

We at the Avalanche Center would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of these victims.

 

[Red Dog]

Thanks Mark for the Postings,be safe everyone.Red Dog

 

[Impatientforsnow]

This sucks..
I was ridding up cooke yesterday and many people were treating it like spring conditions climbing in areas that were destined to slide..

 

[Mtn. missle]

I'm suprised the usual suspects haven't posted yet bashing the deceased riders, about how stupid and unthoughtful of others giving no regard to those who love them. Sorry to rant on your thread, just getting frustrated with those who find it necessary to blast the riders after getting caught in an a avalanche. I also would like to hear of no more fatalaties this season, the only way this would happen is if everybody just parked their sleds. As you can see with the third group even those who are not out "thrill seeking" can end up riding through the wrong place at the wrong time. It's a dangerous sport, be informed, be prepared, ride safe. My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

I'm suprised the usual suspects haven't posted yet bashing the deceased riders, about how stupid and unthoughtful of others giving no regard to those who love them. Sorry to rant on your thread, just getting frustrated with those who find it necessary to blast the riders after getting caught in an a avalanche. I also would like to hear of no more fatalaties this season, the only way this would happen is if everybody just parked their sleds. As you can see with the third group even those who are not out "thrill seeking" can end up riding through the wrong place at the wrong time. It's a dangerous sport, be informed, be prepared, ride safe. My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

Jesus, Some people just don't get it and they never will.

NO ONE in any thread I have read or participated in on this forum has BASHED the riders.
Stating that they made a mistake is not a bash it is a fact which the riders, if they could, would agree with.

If there was real bashing going on with names like "Stupid" being thrown around that poster would probably be hunted down and buried themselves.

Be part of the solution, Get the word out, Help stop the deaths that are caused by poor decisions. (Not stupid)

Sorry Y'all....Highjack over.

 

[kraftymike]

Crappy deal!! I too rode Cooke yesterday, and it amazes me that there was not more fatalities with the careless riding I witnessed. I do not know the details around yesterday’s fatal events, but I can tell you there are many lucky people who survived the day. To those people, having essential avalanche equipment is your responsibility to yourself, your family and foremost your ridding companions. Don’t make the mistake and think that it will guarantee your life though.

 

[2XM3]

Rip

 

[Spaarky]

Thanks Mark for the Postings,be safe everyone.Red Dog

I'm not Mark, he is the GNF Avalanche advisor. I just get the reports emailed to me every morning. It is nice to see what is going on.

If someone wants to be on the email list, let me know, and I will try and post the link to sign up.

Justin

 

[Clarke673]

I would like to be on the mailing list. If you could post the link that would be GREAT!

 

[Montana Rob]

Lesson Learned


First off-

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of those lost yesterday. It's such a small world out there and I'm sure many here on the forum will be affected.

Although these are such horrible tragedies, there is still something to learn from each one.


When I went to bed last night, I had great thoughts of riding today and here is how my day in playing out and my lessons learned:


I got a phone call at 6:30 this morning to let me know of a distant acquaintance caught in the slide in Cooke. A big RED FLAG popped up. I'm taking my girlfriend today for her first ride. I guess I better make sure that we go somewhere very mild. I had been thinking about the areas south of Virginia City.

Time to check the avy report. Pulled up the site. Damn, not only one in Cooke but one on Mt. Jefferson, a friend of mine was riding there yesterday. Another big RED FLAG pops up. I wonder if he's okay. Look farther into it and realize it's not him. Relieved but sad at the same time. Oh no......another one, but in the Gravelly's at Black Butte. Sounds like the riders were well experienced and not pushing the envelope. Another big RED FLAG is up. This is just south of where I was planning to ride. Again, taking my girlfriend for her first ride. My sled isn't running quite perfect. My girlfriend's avy education is limited to me showing her how to run a beacon.

Hmmmmm...........Summary and Lesson Learned:
A distant acquaintance is still missing in Cooke. Two fatal slides within a few miles of my riding area. Limited performance on my sled. Girlfriend's first ride on a sled. Very limited avy education for her.

I think I will stay home, snuggle up with the girlfriend on the couch. Say a prayer for those lost. Maybe work on my sled this afternoon. It's just not worth trying it. Winter is far from over and I'll live (and my girlfriend) to ride another day.

 

[Mtn. missle]

Jesus, Some people just don't get it and they never will.

NO ONE in any thread I have read or participated in on this forum has BASHED the riders.
Stating that they made a mistake is not a bash it is a fact which the riders, if they could, would agree with.

If there was real bashing going on with names like "Stupid" being thrown around that poster would probably be hunted down and buried themselves.

That did'nt take long, it took me about 1 minute to go back to a thread (one you posted in 1-13-09) where someone (unmentioned) said and I quote "stupid ego tripped snowmobiler". I suppose if I took 5 minutes I could come up with more. maybe you should hunt that poster down, but I suppose it's better to beat up on those posting their thought's. Yes people make choices and people make mistakes, although I would like to know what mistake was made by the third group of riders mentioned.

 

[SLEDIOT]

I guess nobody gets it. You can still do the mountain riding, just avoid the ugly stuff. We rode yesterday here in northern BC Canada. 1 of the hills we chose to stay off of last weekend sled sometime during this last week. Talk about destruction! Our "choices" may have saved or lives!!! Our thoughts and prayers for all the families. We had a fatality here this last weekend and its really got everyone on edge. Pease play safe everyone.........

 

[JHG]

Here's the link to sign up for the GNFAC daily report.

http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=1004149j

 

[EOS]

I believe your taking my post WAY out of its original context. I never referred to anyone being killed by an avy as stupid and deserving. Simply stated that some people need to make better well informed decisions.

Anyone with half a brain would agree.

 

[bluebear]

I guess nobody gets it. You can still do the mountain riding, just avoid the ugly stuff. We rode yesterday here in northern BC Canada. 1 of the hills we chose to stay off of last weekend sled sometime during this last week. Talk about destruction! Our "choices" may have saved or lives!!! Our thoughts and prayers for all the families. We had a fatality here this last weekend and its really got everyone on edge. Pease play safe everyone.........

"This was an experienced group of riders well equipped with rescue gear and aware of current avalanche conditions with no intentions of climbing steep slopes."

Thats a scary quote from the report. These conditions make me glad to live in Minnesota.

 

[Spaarky]

"This was an experienced group of riders well equipped with rescue gear and aware of current avalanche conditions with no intentions of climbing steep slopes."

this statement confuses me because if you look at the pics the victim had to be on that hill ..... suppose they were accessing the next meadow through that area?

 

[Mountaintech]

Jesus, Some people just don't get it and they never will.

NO ONE in any thread I have read or participated in on this forum has BASHED the riders.
Stating that they made a mistake is not a bash it is a fact which the riders, if they could, would agree with.

If there was real bashing going on with names like "Stupid" being thrown around that poster would probably be hunted down and buried themselves.

That did'nt take long, it took me about 1 minute to go back to a thread (one you posted in 1-13-09) where someone (unmentioned) said and I quote "stupid ego tripped snowmobiler". I suppose if I took 5 minutes I could come up with more. maybe you should hunt that poster down, but I suppose it's better to beat up on those posting their thought's. Yes people make choices and people make mistakes, although I would like to know what mistake was made by the third group of riders mentioned.

The mistake the rider in the third group made was being below the slope that slid. Can it be said any simpler than that?!!

 

[Coxy]

To me bluebear, thats one of the biggest things that a guy has to look out for. I find myself constantly looking around, even though we are sticking to the "safe" area's, thinking... "Yeah, thats never slid...but..." It seems like most of these guys must be going into there normal territory, somewhat comfortable with things, and it costs them their lives. Thats what scares me, even when you feel that it is safe... is it?

 

[Mountaintech]

this statement confuses me because if you look at the pics the victim had to be on that hill ..... suppose they were accessing the next meadow through that area?

Makes perfect sense to me. They may have had intentions of playing where its safe but they passed through a dangerous area to get to the "safe" stuff. Moral of the story..........Stay away from terrain traps and avy runout areas. If you can't..........then you've gone too far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

To me bluebear, thats one of the biggest things that a guy has to look out for. I find myself constantly looking around, even though we are sticking to the "safe" area's, thinking... "Yeah, thats never slid...but..." It seems like most of these guys must be going into there normal territory, somewhat comfortable with things, and it costs them their lives. Thats what scares me, even when you feel that it is safe... is it?[/B]

Under normal circumstances the hill you always play on and have gotten comfortable with IS safe but that's ONLY when the slide forecast or conditions are safe.
I think we can all agree that right now, this winters' snowpack is anything but safe.

The snow is bound to settle sometime soon.
Dig a pit, check the forecast, get the info from the Avy Centers and if ALL the signs point to a stable pack then POUND AWAY AT THAT HILL !!