What do I do? During an Avalanche.

[Ex-Member]

take a course, they can show you what you need to know to stay alive!!!

+1. Contact Mike Duffy (Snowww1 on here), he does snowmobile-specific avy courses across the country. Great information from those; really makes you realize there's a lot more to avalanches than what meets the eye.

 

[cowboysedge]

All this avy acticity Is realy scarring me. I've never been in one or even seen one, luckily. I'm trying my hardest to keep it that way but mother nature always is superior.
SO, If I'm on a hill and the slide breaks above me, what do I do? What if it's to wide to try to outrun it to either side? Do i keep the sled pointed uphill and try to climb out of it?

Please, What do I do?
Jay

Great Post! Never hurts to ask!

Great info, Thanks

 

[up-high]

Get educated about avalanche terrain and the affects of wind and snow on the terrain.
Learn to use your beacon. The best avy tool you have is on top of your shoulders!

 

[Clarke673]

during high avalanche danger go out to your shop and tear your sled down for that mod you've been wanting to do.seriously though,it's not worth the chance,wait for the avy danger to drop.the snow will still be there and so will you.it's great to take classes and have gear,i consider it a must.but sometimes it can lead to a false sense of security.remember mother nature is ruthless and could care less how trained you are.i know i speak for all when i say"keep it safe,you are part of my extended family,love you man."

Thats what i ahve been doing.

 

[steveo10]

spit if possible so you know your diggin the rite way

 

[turbo brad]

Hey guys, I was just burried at cooke city 3 days ago, and I want to share as much as I can, cause it is an experiance that I really hope you NEVER have to deal with. As far as jumping off or staying on your sled, it doesn't matter cause, I was swept off my sled so fast, and was tumbling so fast I didn't know what was up or down, and yes I have taken many avalanche classes and I also was on search and rescue when I lived in cooke city. I have seen many avalanches and I consider myself extremely lucky!! I was even wearing an abs pack but it didn't go off when I pulled the cord, if you do have any questains for me just let me know. This avy was about 10 feet down at the bottom of the hill and tumbled me for about 150 yards, BE SAFE

 

[skidoorulz]

All this avy acticity Is realy scarring me. I've never been in one or even seen one, luckily. I'm trying my hardest to keep it that way but mother nature always is superior.
SO, If I'm on a hill and the slide breaks above me, what do I do? What if it's to wide to try to outrun it to either side? Do i keep the sled pointed uphill and try to climb out of it?

Please, What do I do?
Jay

Pray!!! If you are the one buried. If you are the searcher keep your cool if there is more than a couple of you send someone for help! The rest of you keep searching if safe to do so.

 

[huntinggr81]

I ended up being in one last spring near Golden, BC. I was with a buddy & we were dropping down a very steep hill into an untouched area. The spring conditions had weaked the snowpack (warm & sunny). I was in the lead, and the snow start to "run" ahead of my sled. Next thing I knew it broke, and the avy started. At first it was slow & I tried to pump my brake, and get behind it, but I couldn't slow enough & it just kept lifting my sled higher & higher. I quickly decided to pin it thru the slide & outrun it, before I was right in the middle of it. I got ahead of it as it grew bigger & was VERY, VERY lucky to outrun it after about a good 1/2 mile down the mountain. I can honestly say I have never been that scared before in my life. I estimate my speed down the mountain at 70 mph or more - my buddy who was able to hang back said the avy was gaining on me all the way down. It took me more than 30 minutes before I could even think about getting back on my sled. I am much more cautious now.