https://coloradosun.com/2019/03/06/c...TrOPCaixDvl4rw
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Slide hit Minturn Mile this afternoon. No injuries.Quote:
Originally Posted by whipski
I was here in 2003 and I see slides in areas that didn't slide then.
Stuff that you always dismissed as, "while technically slide terrain, this would never slide except on an EXTREME day," well when that day is TODAY, you look at everything wideeyed and do weird things like have your avalung out skiing the trees inbounds.
Century level slides mean that you literally will have no sign in the timber, no memory, only the judgment of "is this 28 degrees? keep the fuck away!"
Interesting how regional snowpack differences breed different practices. In Tahoe, I ride inbounds with an Avalung somewhat often due to NARSIDS danger. And know a number of other folks who do the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by Summit
Fingers crossed no more fatalities out there.
Heh when I said "inbounds in the trees" I was referring to an area one ought to be the most safe from slides.Quote:
Originally Posted by LightRanger
But good point. I think the difference lies in the trees. Treewells are a problem in some places here like Wolf Creek and Steamboat, but lodgepole pine and aspen prevalent at most CO ski areas don't make huge tree wells most of the time.
I didn't set foot anywhere near avalanche terrain today, but I had a some good views of the Indian Peaks on a tour with my dog. Saw some crowns today in places I would not have thought possible. Nothing huge, but weird. Oddly, none of the more common paths had slid, or if they did it happened before the last couple rounds of snowfall and filled back in enough that I couldn't tell. There was also a good deal more snow on South and West facing slopes than I've seen in the 3 years I've been touring around this area. I wish I'd brought binoculars to get a better look at the more distant peaks. If I were inclined to deal with the I70 shit show to ride lifts this weekend I'd be beeping inbounds for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Summit
Big paths are just waiting.
I've been saved from 2 complete NARSIDS in the last 2 decades and it's been frightening to say the least.
I've also been so so tempted to just say fuck it, I know better, I can sculpt this. But, I've gotten to a point where I look at my wall of shame, the part of my wall where I put up all the articles of people who I've been close to who have died, and said, fuck that, clean the goddamn bathroom.
When involuntary tears just roll off your face spontaneously, maybe you need to take a lap in the detergent department.
Edit: Pinner years ago gave me a high pitch whistle that I can reach with my mouth that I have on my bag that I've used twice. Once for me and once to announce an avi that resulted in a survival on a full snomo ski burial.
Thank you, pinner.
This is a new one for me. A correction!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1154ad1162.jpg
Bottom line:
Don't be that person. Please, we need good posters.
What else that costs $5 has saved so many lives? Fox 40 whistle, great for every backpack you own.
https://www.amazon.com/Fox-40-372463.../dp/B00PUHJG1W
Well said Makers. Sometimes the hardest and best decision to make is, "I'm not going backcountry skiing today". I've been fighting it for about a week.
Don't mention it.Quote:
Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark
Sierra Cement also usually keeps this at bay in Tahoe but we've had fathoms of blower this year and they have been an issue. I believe we've had two narsids with no treewells at all. Just falling forward in the bottomless and never finding a bottom or a breath.Quote:
Originally Posted by Summit
it seems much harder for you folks. We don't consistently get PWLs so we have a scale similar to the hot crazy scale for girls. By the time things get into the high range the skiing has dropped into at least a little (usually much) less fun zone. I've found the rewards for getting away with a high day just aren't worth it here. That makes it easier to sit at home or wander in the low angle treesQuote:
Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles
edit- reading that again it's not clear what I was saying. In short on our typical maritime high day the skiing usually is a let down due to heavy snow, wind crusts, etc. whereas with your continental snowpack you can have an excellent sliding surface with the high danger lurking underneath.