Snowmass terrain trap

[mania]

Originally Posted by El Flaco

Doesn't excuse the fact that the conditions were horrible to be choosing a line like that, and she was lucky to not get destroyed on a pretty rocky slide path.

I feel like I just watched some people drive 80 mph into a brick wall just to prove the airbag works.

[lmyers]

Originally Posted by mania

I feel like I just watched some people drive 80 mph into a brick wall just to prove the airbag works.

Pretty much. I doubt she would have dropped into that line without the "added security" of the airbag.

The slide was huge from side to side, but the crown didn't look super deep (the entire snowpack is thin there), in fact she was able to stay on her feet nearly half-way down. I wonder if the airbag would have performed the same if 3-4x that amount of snow had came down on her...

From what I have heard and seen the last 2 seasons I think an airbag is probably the best investment you can make for backcountry safety outside shovel, beacon and a solid crew.

[powdahound76]

Deepest condolences to the families and friends who passed in slides this winter.

Couldnt agree more with the last couple posts. People are dropping crazy stuff due to having airbags, avalungs, or even just carrying gear, because they used to just hike and ride that stuff without avy gear and it never slid. This being said, I plan on buying an airbag for next season. Got to save the $ as the one I want is $900.
We went out touring yesterday. I was in a meadow and had a collapse that I actually watched the snow move before I felt and heard it. The whole meadow dropped about 3-4 cm.
Skiing yesterday, we skied like we would boat something that was pushing the limits. First, making the option of bailing open and not pushing anyone to do something they werent comfortable with. Making sure the safety person had a line of sight of skier/rider in "scary zone". Double checking gear both before leaving the car and dropping in. Made sure safety persons were redundant. Had a plan that for rescue that everyone agreed upon. The skiing was good and all returned safe, nothing kicked off.
As for the airbag, they seem pretty impressive. A guy I know from here in the county, posted his story from last year. I cant do all that fancy stuff and post a link, but he was hit from above by a big slide. deployed his airbag. rolled to the side and was safe. The slide took his sled over a huge cliff (200 feet I believe he said). He knows in his mind that it would have killed him had it not been for the airbag pack.

[krashhadley]

I just completed an AIARE Avy 1 course. we learned a ton, but I just want to reiterate how unstable the snowpack is right now. I'm no expert, just beginning to learn the science. But the pits we dug @ 10,400' were showing incredibly weak layers sitting below several bonded layers. And as we learned, that is a recipe for big slabs. in one pit we were trying to separate a column of snow to test and as we made our cut it just fell out. Routsch Block tests produced similar results.

If you're going out into the backcountry or thinking about hitting OB at the resorts look at your buddies and ask yourself three things. 1st: can they rescue me? 2nd: can I rescue them? and 3rd: is the ride worth a slide? if there is doubt reconsider. The snowpack will probably be pretty weak until spring, so be careful out there

[knumbskull]

Here is an excellent video from the Utah Avalanche Center regarding deep slabs:

http://youtu.be/GSSeYaO8SpE

[El Flaco]

Sad:
Watch Newspapers - Avalanche Kills Sidecountry Snowboarder in Contention

Telluride Ski Patrol received a report of an avalanche in the Contention area at 12:37 p.m. Monday. According to San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters, two skiers in the area saw evidence of a slide in the terrain known as The Fingers, a section of the Contention slide path located outside of the Telluride Ski Area's eastern boundary near the top of the Plunge Lift (Lift 9). The skiers initiated an avalanche beacon search, and quickly found a signal from Soules’ avalanche beacon. They uncovered the victim, buried under approximately four feet of snow; he was breathless and pulseless, with signs of head trauma.

San Miguel County Search and Rescue called in the Telluride Helitrax helicopter pilot and crew to vet the area for safety before sending SAR members to the scene, including County Coroner Telluride Ski Patroller and SAR member Emil Sante and other members of SAR; the group ultimately extricated Soules’ body from the scene, using a helicopter long-line system.

Unofficial reports indicate that Soules was riding alone when the avalanche occurred. He was fully equipped with an avalanche beacon, an Avalung, and an ABS Air Bag System, which had been deployed (although it had been “shredded,” Masters said).

Read more: Watch Newspapers - Avalanche Kills Sidecountry Snowboarder in Contention

[powdahound76]

Sad news, deepest condolences to his wife and son.
Read the CAIC forcast , I am up too early and it is from yesterday. They state we are headed into a natural avy cycle from all the new snow. Predicting large hard slabs and sizable soft slabs it sounds like. BE CAREFUL!!!
It sounds as if this gentleman had good gear and was well prepared. Multiple reports saying he deployed his airbag and it was ruined, not helping him.

[lmyers]

Originally Posted by powdahound76

Sad news, deepest condolences to his wife and son.
Read the CAIC forcast , I am up too early and it is from yesterday. They state we are headed into a natural avy cycle from all the new snow. Predicting large hard slabs and sizable soft slabs it sounds like. BE CAREFUL!!!

I second the condolences, and the advice of caution. Yesterday was the first time I have ever been in the backcountry and not made turns. It was simply too sketchy on Fremont Pass. Even in flat terrain cracks were shooting up the hill over 200 feet and the "woomphing" was so loud and powerful it was actually shaking the trees and causing them to drop snow....