3/1/14 Terminal Cancer Avalanche

I keep trying to type something of substance but it's not so easy.

Last week I approached a few people.. roommate, girlfriend & coworker and explained a story about a friend that had recently started hiking and splitting big lines in conditions that I felt were substantially more risky than tours we had been on previously. More exposure and enough avvy risk to make it a low probability/high risk decision.. those type make me very uncomfortable because, well, death is very possible in that realm. This week this thread appears and the friend discussed the prior week was involved in this slide.

At risk of being one of those prickish MMQb types.... I'd rather be honest and a prick than not say my peace.

It's a long road, don't push too hard. You have plenty of time to ski Tanner's, TC, NW Twins, Seagull, etc. on days where you have viz & a less dynamic snowpack. IMO big lines are not for storm or 1st pow days.. period. It cuts out opportunity but it also eliminates some of the worst risk in the sport.

Cheers to the guys for being open & honest about the ordeal. And best wishes to your buddy with the broken arm.

Evidence of heuristic traps in recreational avalanche accidents

Amazing story.
How the fuck is Terminal Cancer so crowded that 3 parties hit it at about the same time? Isn't it in the middle of nowhere a long way from anywhere? Is it that famous now?
Glad everyone's more or less ok.

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Amazing story.
How the fuck is Terminal Cancer so crowded that 3 parties hit it at about the same time? Isn't it in the middle of nowhere a long way from anywhere? Is it that famous now?
Glad everyone's more or less ok.

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It was the pefect storm so to speak. A long dry winter in the Sierra and the Wasatch, people needing something big and thinking road trip, and the forecast of big snow.
and of course, saturday

The Rubies aren't that far from SLC. And, the majority of people who go out to "ski the Rubies", are really only skiing Terminal Cancer

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Originally Posted by ncognico

Icelandic ski guy seems to be a terminal cancer on just about every potentially useful thread here.

Jesus F Christ dude!?

Are there any other decent Avy discussions on the web with no metastases?

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Nice contribution to the discussion.

rog

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

How the fuck is Terminal Cancer so crowded that 3 parties hit it at about the same time? Isn't it in the middle of nowhere a long way from anywhere? Is it that famous now?

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Yes. It is.

Also it was the first day of spring break at Utah. It's a quick drive out. I did the same thing last year and ran into a friend's group at the apron and we all went up together. The range is awesome I'd like to spend more time there in the summer for hiking and get in deeper for skiing. Maybe later

Is there any other ski terrain in the rubies besides TC? Google earth makes it look that way but first hand knowledge is always helpful. Coolies are either go or no go and we want some backup options...

Looking to take a long weekend out there this spring skiing and fishing the ruby marshes,

There is a lot of terrain in the canyon. Just go as deep as you want and stop when you see something you like.

Btw, as you go to the top of terminal cancer and you look over, there is some great skiing to be had, and it may wrap around to the canyon.

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Originally Posted by TheFugitive

Is there any other ski terrain in the rubies besides TC? Google earth makes it look that way but first hand knowledge is always helpful. Coolies are either go or no go and we want some backup options...

Looking to take a long weekend out there this spring skiing and fishing the ruby marshes,

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I think that's where Ruby Mountain Heli Ski is......

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Originally Posted by rod9301

There is a lot of terrain in the canyon. Just go as deep as you want and stop when you see something you like.

Btw, as you go to the top of terminal cancer and you look over, there is some great skiing to be had, and it may wrap around to the canyon.

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Thanks Rod! I have been google earthing that whole area for a bit, seems like a lot of options. We are planning early april. I will throw up a TR if it comes together.

Yeah there's another thread with info if you dig but as I remember must everything outside of Lamoille canyon is hard to access except by the canyon. Most of the land at the base if the range is privately held on both sides. so you have to get up into the range then cross over the ridges/drainages to get into other regions.

I'll try to remember the thread to search, there's was some good info.