Man Down

[The Reverend Floater]

We lost a ski instructor this weekend in a treewell incident, leaving a wife and a child behind. While many people enjoyed a few of the best powder days in recent years, SAR teams searched all weekend, finally recovering the body yesterday afternoon. He was considered an excellent skier and was found only a few yards down a gladed pitch, beneath a sappling. Word is that his binding was somehow lodged into the tree so that it could not release.

God Bless.

[Dexter Rutecki]

Way too much of this, mangs. Don't know if there's anything that can be done, but let's use our heads out there.

[bad_roo]

It's tempting to think that if it was you in the hole you'd be able to battle out but in all probability this guy would have been stronger and fitter than me and he didn't make it. Sobering stuff.

Condolences indeed Rev.

[ulty_guy]

R.I.P.

go tree skiing with a buddy, please.

[FreakofSnow]

Man, too many losses and scares in this last cycle. Prayers to the familily and friends

[Endlessseason]

Really great 6-year study on this subject dredged up by 'Catskills' on another forum. British Columbia ski area snow-asphyxiation deaths average about one per year in this study. All of the deaths occurred during or after big powder dumps. So, the bottom-line conclusion is prevention and awareness during those epic powder days.: http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/..._99/cadman.htm

[noodles]

R.I.P.

"no friends on powder days" is not all it's cracked up to be.

[powstash]

Originally posted by ulty_guy


go tree skiing with a buddy, please.

Had a close call this weekend with my buddy. We were skiing side by side in the trees off of North Woods (Condor Lift) when I pass him and say, "Oh yea buddy, it's deep" I ski another 10 turns and stop and he's no where to be found. I yell, wait, yell, wait. Some snowboarder comes down and says that he hasn't seen a skier with a red jacket.

I wasn't really thinking tree well cause the guy rips. (not that it has anything to do with it) I just thought he dropped another line. So after another yell/wait cycle I roll to the lift and he's not there. I'm just about to take the lift up to go search for him when he shows up and tells me about his tree well experience. He had the presence of mind to clear a good air pocket before he was able to reach up and release one binding. Spooky.

Be careful out there.

Sorry a good mang was lost on your hill Rev.

[DINMS]

I had really bad luck this weekend with trees (well not that bad compared to some) but I ended up in about 3 tree wells face down. One time after rag dolling down a small face. But I'm a gaper so...who cares?

[watersnowdirt]

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

[Aldo]

RIP.

[Clack]

R.I.P.

Thoughts and prayers are with him and family.

[snowsprite]

May his family find the strength to cope with this tragedy.

This is a risky sport, but nobody ever expects this. And yes, it does seem like lately we're hearing about a lot of accidents. It is sobering.
Sprite

[Xover]

prayers prayed

[EPSkis]

My prayers to he and his family.

Please be careful out there & keep an eye out on your partners.

[altagirl]

Very sad news.

This and so many other recent stories really make keeping an eye on one another that much more important.

[DaveTV]

Where did it happen?