Colorado Weather Discussion Thread

[MakersTeleMark]

While most people should know about this tool, it's worth another post to remind folks of an easy way to check conditions on the ground at any given location. You can click all the variables to filter: https://forecasts.avalanche.state.co.us/explorer/

[goldenboy]

I hope everyone knows a bit of first aid, you never know when it might come into play. Copying from someone else's IG, this happened in Paradise Bowl, which is a whole lot of nothing to write home about at CB:


Two factors of utmost importance for those of us who recreate in the outdoors. To be honest, I didn’t anticipate that I would be doing CPR on a stranger with 5 of my friends when I woke up on December 5th, 2023. We had a late start, everyone of us needing to do this, that and the other before heading up for a leisurely day of skiing. The whole resort isn’t even open yet. As we rode the lift up one of us points down, it’s a blue run we’ve all skied many a time. Off to the side is a section of powder, with a smattering of small tree tops poking out. In these trees and powder are legs, straight up in the air, kicking back and forth. Initially we were amused by the sight…but that feeling quickly subsided as this individual was getting no closer to excavating his upper body from the snow. We begin to scream at skiers below us, trying to draw attention to this man. We call ski patrol from the lift and as soon as we reach the top we haul ass. Two of our friends are already there digging to expose an airway; then all 6 of us… digging with our hands (cause who carry’s backcountry gear on the resort.) We got to the point of being able to pull him out by his boots. He wasn’t breathing, had no pulse, and was blue. Now here is where I am eternally grateful for the back country training and courage our team had. We cleared the airway best we could, administered 5 rescue breaths, and began CPR. In WRF and CPR courses you hear time and time again that the first time you give CPR to a real human it likely won’t be on a level surface, and it won’t feel real. I think we can all attest to the harsh reality of this notion. Ski patrol began to trickle in, told us we were doing great and to keep going. A nurse showed up who had spotted us from the lift and jumped into our CPR rotation. After what felt like a lifetime this man, we now know as Orion, took a long awaited breath… just like that his heart was beating again…

[Iowagriz]

Wow! Awesome job and awareness

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[whipski]

regain consciousness?

[Danno]

Wow

[Danno]

I'm also surprised patrol wouldn't take over for them

[goldenboy]

regain consciousness?

Apparently he was fine.

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[EWG]

Apparently he was fine.

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Unbelievable work!! Wow.

[goldenboy]

Unbelievable work!! Wow.

Just to be clear, I wasn't there. Just thought it was a good story to share

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[doebedoe]

Damn. That's a helluva a morning out. Props to those folks for likely saving the fellas life.

I'm also surprised patrol wouldn't take over for them

If someone is in position, doing quality compressions you may be better off prepping a sled, preparing an AED, or otherwise getting the patient ready for transport than taking over mid-stack. Utilizing all your available resources and all that.

[Jtlange]

Last week I was frustrated, never showing up in the right place at the right time for rope drops. Today was good though, lapped Hallelujah and then went over to Sierra, walk uphill a few short steps for excellent snow. Super fun.

Were they actually running Sierra?

[Foggy_Goggles]

Being current on first aid seems a bit ignored. Hot take: it is equally important as your Level 1. Don't be overwhelmed. Even the Red Cross online first aid class is a whole lot better than nothing.

It's too bad that the WFA curriculum doesn't seem to have much traction.

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[cravenmorhead]

Your local library also has the WFR manual/book.

[shera]

Were they actually running Sierra?

Yes! I guess Timber Ridge was the official open run, but the little boot up and around to Gold digger and Coleman's had a dropped rope and a patroller standing there saying not to go too far west. Really really nice.

The thing that struck me the most was the amount of side stepping done by patrol on the east face there of Union Peak, looker's right as you're going up the chair. They compacted almost ALL of it, what a sh!tton of work! I wish a few other ski areas could see that, made me proud. It is avy terrain, but it won't run to the ground when they do control work. So nice.

[adrenalated]

It's too bad that the WFA curriculum doesn't seem to have much traction.

WFA is such a great class. Not that big a commitment (a weekend and a couple hundred bucks) and there is so much content in it. Really should be the standard for anyone that likes to play in the mountains.
These guys even do specialty courses tailored to your preferred activity. https://desertmountainmedicine.com/o...ess-first-aid/

[goldenboy]

Being current on first aid seems a bit ignored. Hot take: it is equally important as your Level 1. Don't be overwhelmed. Even the Red Cross online first aid class is a whole lot better than nothing.

It's too bad that the WFA curriculum doesn't seem to have much traction.

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100%

Billy Rankin is teaching a combo WFA/Avy Rescue course, it's coming up soon and I know there is space. I took it last year and would highly recommend him/it. Pretty cool to dig up a beacon and go straight into CPR or splinting a broken bone or whatever else he threw at you. https://intuitionconsulting.org/#courses

[Foggy_Goggles]

Awesome options! A cool thing one my instructors does is allow his students to come back anytime (for free) to stay current by running through the scenarios.

Good classes really emphasize the stress management piece which is critical whether the SHTF moment requires first aid or not.

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[skaredshtles]

Yes! I guess Timber Ridge was the official open run, but the little boot up and around to Gold digger and Coleman's had a dropped rope and a patroller standing there saying not to go too far west.

That's because there's a BIG boulder field to the west. Don't ask me how I know.

[goldenboy]

Awesome options! A cool thing one my instructors does is allow his students to come back anytime (for free) to stay current by running through the scenarios.

That's really cool. I think it's a lot easier to go to a beacon park and stay sharp vs trying to remember first aid. I wish there was an easier way. A slide deck app that you could play with on the couch every once in a while would be perfect.

[shera]

That's because there's a BIG boulder field to the west. Don't ask me how I know.

Hahaha, nice. I did go left one lap until I got myself into a willow thicket. I like bushwacking as much as the next person but the gold digger side was skiing so much better...

[FiveLarge]

Poke around off Monarch Pass today. Snowpack is still pretty reactive, but the turns were much softer and less wind affected than expected.

PT have enough coverage?

[bamboocoreONLY]

This stretch of cloudy weather blows, like living way up north.

[Name Redacted]

This stretch of cloudy weather blows, like living way up north.

Weird to have the driveway melting off on a cloudy day in December.

[shera]

Seems like the clouds are good for the snow?

[shera]

It's snowing lightly here right now. Very peaceful.