Trelease fatality 2.14.21

Darnit. RIP.
https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/02/...alanche-skier/

That slide is massive


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RIP for sure. Fuck.

Front Range mags all accounted for?
What a shitty year. Sorry to anyone who lost someone.

Well...shit.

Ugh. Scary spot that sees a lot of traffic

https://denver.cbslocal.com/wp-conte...from-leary.jpg

scary, all the way to ground, couple sheer layers, wow. rip

Attachment 362936

Attachment 362937

Edit. Not sure why those didn't embed. Trying to show a rough estimate of how far that face might run.

Those look like huge crowns.

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Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Ugh. Scary spot that sees a lot of traffic

https://denver.cbslocal.com/wp-conte...from-leary.jpg

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[emoji51][emoji51][emoji51][emoji51]

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Originally Posted by Tech Tonics

Those look like huge crowns.

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Holy fucking crown indeed. RIP and vibes

https://www.avalanche.state.co.us/ca...=780&accfm=rep

Solo.

East facing which was exactly what the rose indicated

During a statewide avalanche advisory.

What the fuck.

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Front Range mags all accounted for?
What a shitty year. Sorry to anyone who lost someone.

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I sincerely hope no one here would do this.

And yes, condolences.

For anyone unfamiliar with this zone -
this area is very easy access and commonly considered to be a good safe option. Essentially all of the slopes below treeline are less than 30* and are good, mellow, SE facing glade skiing.
However, as the photos show, there is a steep bowl above the area with a flat bench underneath. This bowl receives a massive amount of windloading and avalanches naturally most seasons. I think it has run a couple times this year already.
Most people skin to the start of the flats and then transition. Some may go a little higher. Historic avalanches have overrun the entire flat area, but typically don't.

I think it's extremely unlikely that this rider was directly riding the bowl. He was most likely planning to travel on the lower angle slopes below, but unfortunately skinned a bit too high in the runout and either remotely triggered the bowl above or was caught by a natural. To be clear - CAIC has been warning of this exact scenario (remote triggering, avalanches running further than they typically do) but it's unlikely that the rider was centerpunching the thing.

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

For anyone unfamiliar with this zone -
this area is very easy access and commonly considered to be a good safe option. Essentially all of the slopes below treeline are less than 30* and are good, mellow, SE facing glade skiing.
However, as the photos show, there is a steep bowl above the area with a flat bench underneath. This bowl receives a massive amount of windloading and avalanches naturally most seasons. I think it has run a couple times this year already.
Most people skin to the start of the flats and then transition. Some may go a little higher. Historic avalanches have overrun the entire flat area, but typically don't.

I think it's extremely unlikely that this rider was directly riding the bowl. He was most likely planning to travel on the lower angle slopes below, but unfortunately skinned a bit too high in the runout and either remotely triggered the bowl above or was caught by a natural. To be clear - CAIC has been warning of this exact scenario (remote triggering, avalanches running further than they typically do) but it's unlikely that the rider was centerpunching the thing.

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Doesn't look like that from the map in my link.

Sincere condolences to the fallen's friends & family. This was a terrible place to be. Generally a no-go zone through the winter. That bowl gets heavily windloaded. I've seen some up-tracks this year pushing the high point above The Boulevard and it has worried me each time. Since I don't see tracks above the crown I'm guessing this snowboarder fell into that same trap.

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Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Doesn't look like that from the map in my link.

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The preliminary report says 11800. That's on the bench. See the topo above.

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vibes to all affected

OK, in the sake of accuracy, I'll revise what I said a little-
-the bench isn't "flat," it's a bench that's lower angle than the surrounding terrain. It's pretty flat relative to a skier.
-below treeline there are several small features that push slightly over 30*. These are generally small in both width and vertical, not connected/continuous, generally don't exceed 35*, and are easy to avoid/manage. Hence why this area is generally considered relatively safe and sees a lot of traffic.

Looks like another example of someone 'playing it safe' just not safe enough :(

Sadly, there was a second fatality today as well
https://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/a...=781&accfm=rep
This season fucking sucks

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

Sadly, there was a second fatality today as well
https://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/a...=781&accfm=rep
This season fucking sucks

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FFS.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

For anyone unfamiliar with this zone -
this area is very easy access and commonly considered to be a good safe option. Essentially all of the slopes below treeline are less than 30* and are good, mellow, SE facing glade skiing.
However, as the photos show, there is a steep bowl above the area with a flat bench underneath. This bowl receives a massive amount of windloading and avalanches naturally most seasons. I think it has run a couple times this year already.
Most people skin to the start of the flats and then transition. Some may go a little higher. Historic avalanches have overrun the entire flat area, but typically don't.

I think it's extremely unlikely that this rider was directly riding the bowl. He was most likely planning to travel on the lower angle slopes below, but unfortunately skinned a bit too high in the runout and either remotely triggered the bowl above or was caught by a natural. To be clear - CAIC has been warning of this exact scenario (remote triggering, avalanches running further than they typically do) but it's unlikely that the rider was centerpunching the thing.

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This is one of the very few routes in our book where we specifically pointed out potential avalanche danger for the reasons you describe.

Reposting the images I tried to post above.

Attachment 362974

Attachment 362975

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

For anyone unfamiliar with this zone -
this area is very easy access and commonly considered to be a good safe option. Essentially all of the slopes below treeline are less than 30* and are good, mellow, SE facing glade skiing.
However, as the photos show, there is a steep bowl above the area with a flat bench underneath. This bowl receives a massive amount of windloading and avalanches naturally most seasons. I think it has run a couple times this year already.
Most people skin to the start of the flats and then transition. Some may go a little higher. Historic avalanches have overrun the entire flat area, but typically don't.

I think it's extremely unlikely that this rider was directly riding the bowl. He was most likely planning to travel on the lower angle slopes below, but unfortunately skinned a bit too high in the runout and either remotely triggered the bowl above or was caught by a natural. To be clear - CAIC has been warning of this exact scenario (remote triggering, avalanches running further than they typically do) but it's unlikely that the rider was centerpunching the thing.

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We pass skinners every time we get off 70 on 6 headed to LL. Parking so close and easy access right there off the ramp.

coming back two weeks ago it looked like two fresh descents were taken.

sorry to all

really sad.

Damn




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Thanks to everyone who helped out on this one. Shit year and getting shittier by the minute. Condolences to all. Be safe.


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I’ve skinned too high in this zone. Three weeks back I realized I was no longer going to ski with someone (who teaches classes locally) because where they chose to transition despite my objections in this area.. Right in the debris now.

This hits close. Patrolling yesterday I spent a lot of time looking at Pats Knob, watching it load with wind and snow.

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Originally Posted by bendtheski

Thanks to everyone who helped out on this one. Shit year and getting shittier by the minute. Condolences to all. Be safe.


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Reached out to a buddy of mine that frequents the area, he was first on scene. Crappy deal all around.

Tragic. That zone needs a wide berth. People frequently pass through the runout when moving over to the other side. I can't imagine anyone actually skied the line yesterday.

Do we know any details? Sounds like he blew up his balloon. Solo?

If people are going to go full on “my risk tolerance is high” avalanche terrain solo during an avalanche warning, at least make it a big line.

Trelease for God’s sake. North face of Grizzly or Torrey’s or go big in the Gore if you’re throwing caution to the wind.

And those fucking airbags are just making you think that you have life saving insurance that you do not.

I dont even see tracks on the top. Hiking underneath?


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Saw this on the drive home from the Basin and remarked, hope no one got buried in that thing...

this one really makes me reflect on the spots I choose to ski on considerable days.

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Originally Posted by Summit

Tragic. That zone needs a wide berth. People frequently pass through the runout when moving over to the other side. I can't imagine anyone actually skied the line yesterday.

Do we know any details? Sounds like he blew up his balloon. Solo?

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Yes solo. Yes airbag. Airbag was partially visible, head was buried.

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this one really makes me reflect on the spots I choose to ski on considerable days

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Agreed, just remember that our current avalanche problem is not well described by the danger rating. If you don't make sure you read the discussion and as the CAIC special advisory says

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Avalanche conditions are unusual. Backcountry travelers can trigger avalanches that may break very wide and run the full length of the avalanche path. Your normal routes and safety habits may not keep you out of a dangerous avalanche.

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...and that's coming from someone that has and will travel in the backcountry during elevated hazard.

I know nothing about split bindings; do they release? Obviously this was a huge slide, but I’m wondering if the board attached counteracted the airbag’s assistance in the fight to stay on top.

Sympathies to all those affected.

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Originally Posted by V.R.P

I know nothing about split bindings; do they release? Obviously this was a huge slide, but I’m wondering if the board attached counteracted the airbag’s assistance in the fight to stay on top.

Sympathies to all those affected.

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I use some older Karakoram Split 30s, and no, they do not release......Vibes to everyone involved.

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Originally Posted by V.R.P

I know nothing about split bindings; do they release? Obviously this was a huge slide, but I’m wondering if the board attached counteracted the airbag’s assistance in the fight to stay on top.

Sympathies to all those affected.

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I'm not a splitboarder, but my wife is and I tour with a lot of them.
I'm not aware of any softboot splitboard bindings that release, uphill or downhill. I'm not familiar with every option on the market though.
Hardboot setups usually use a tech toe for the up, so usually are locked out, but could be set to an unlocked position.

Was on the lift at LL the day after talking to a patroller who said they helped in the body recovery. I thought he may have had the story wrong...solo in the backcountry after what seems like constant strong winds for the past couple of weeks on top of a shitty snow pack.

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Originally Posted by V.R.P

I know nothing about split bindings; do they release?

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voile has a binding release that i think's essential. works quickly and effectively in both downhill and uphill mode. must have imo, otherwise, that splitboard is going to act like just like an anchor.

Attachment 363266

^^ vibes to the family and friends of the splitboarder

Quote:

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Originally Posted by getoutside

voile has a binding release that i think's essential. works quickly and effectively in both downhill and uphill mode. must have imo, otherwise, that splitboard is going to act like just like an anchor.

Attachment 363266

^^ vibes to the family and friends of the splitboarder

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Thats cool, am buying....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by getoutside

voile has a binding release that i think's essential. works quickly and effectively in both downhill and uphill mode. must have imo, otherwise, that splitboard is going to act like just like an anchor.

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Might be better for a new thread, but curious, do you have a link for the official part? I believe most of these quick releases are jerryrigged.

I'd be genuinely interested if there are any accidents where a boarder used one of these. After trying to get off the slab, my gut feeling is that you would not have enough time to ditch your board before getting rolled.