TR; this last weekend at Bridger

**hick** · 12-20-2008, 10:06 PM

People need to take resonsibilty for themselves. So, 2 dumbasses are better than one? You don't need partner to ski the Agui du Midi (sp?) in Chamonix and their little program works just fine. Getting rid of that policy at Bridger was a step in the right direction. Don't be such Freedom haters.

**single** · 12-20-2008, 10:12 PM

Why not just have no avi gear required? I guess I would be hatin on freedom to say otherwise.

I would be willing to bet that there are more skiing related deaths per capita at chamonix than at bridger. Our current system (the one we have on the ridge) works fine, and I dont see why they would change it for slushman's, especially since they are treating that terrain the same way.

**butterscotch** · 12-20-2008, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by XtrPickels

Easy there killer.

What I was looking at was the amount of people cliffed out and the need for multiple ambulances. This is all directly related to the new terrain and the people that are skiing it. No matter what you say, I feel as though there is a correlation between having a partner and appropriate avy gear and your preparedness / safety for skiing "ridge" terrain.

If you're a Ridge jong and you get cliffed out solo you're kinda screwed. If you have a partner and they don't know the area well enough to navigate to skiable lines, at the very least you have someone to give you a hand when things go south.

I'm easy. I know that you are/were a longtime Bridger mag, I respect your opinion and and I understand all the arguements for having partners and requiring gear. I'm personally opposed to it because I feel comfortable up there alone and am often at Bridger by myself anyway.

My only point was that its seems a little hasty to call for stricter rules based only on "one broken back and three ambulances" without knowing all the details.

**Jumper Bones** · 12-20-2008, 10:33 PM

No, the current system does NOT work fine. Deleting the partner rule was definitely a step in the right direction, and I feel pretty strongly about that. I've had some weak-ass 'partners' that I had to hook up with just to make it up the ridge, only to ski off, completely on their own planet, oblivious to what else was up or to the partner concept. So that's not a save-all, at all.

Look, if you want to ski with a partner, go for it. I'm sure you'll be hucking much larger than me anyways. But don't cost me that freedom by equating peoples' sustained injuries with the death of the partner rule, that's BS.

**single** · 12-20-2008, 10:41 PM

Jumper, I see your point. You obviously have some experience there and have the skills to be able to ride up there solo. It just seems like there are a lot of people that would hike solo that do not have the knowledge or experience that you do to ride safely on the ridge.

I would agree that it is not a save all, but I think it is something. My main point is that I dont see why you would have to wear a beacon and carry a shovel if you dont need a partner.

But don't cost me that freedom by equating peoples' sustained injuries with the death of the partner rule, that's BS.

I think it was back in 2004 that the owner of bar 3 barbq died while riding solo on that huge snow day? If he had a partner, he would probably still be alive as he died from suffocation. I know that wasn't on the ridge, but it was in similar-to-ridge terrain on high traverse.

There are so many potential situations like this that it makes sense to ski with a partner for safety reasons. There wouldn't be the partner rule if it didnt have some effect.

Hi Fi · 12-20-2008, 10:44 PM

Man, I took my first solo ridge hike ever after years w/ the partner rule on thurs, and I did not like it. I felt kinda jittery and exposed, definitely not doing that again. I like the opportunity, but I think most of the established bridger crew is gonna be doubling up most days.

**tone capone** · 12-20-2008, 11:07 PM

The only way to get to basically any sweet line from a chair (aside from direct from the ridge) is a traverse, which cuts across or under another sweet line.

I don't know that looks like a pretty sick line to me that you don't have to traverse to.

I don't understand what the big deal is with me pointing out that dozens of jongs too lazy to hike 80 verticle feet have to traverse over lines like this when there is simply no need for a traverse here like on High T or Bridger Gully/Apron.

I figured I'd nip this one in the bud.

Surfers set the rules for riding big waves, maybe more of you long time locals should set the unspoken rules here so we don't have "Dozens of dipshits cliffed out in the new terrain".

Dedicated locals are willing to give em more than a week or two to figure shit out.

Well, understanding the point about not opening within reason (big dumps/wind) I'm giving em until the first day when cars are parked all the way out to the road after a 6 inch midweek dump. I don't care if they take till 11 or 12, just open it.

Hi Fi · 12-20-2008, 11:12 PM

somebody just bring a big message board and plant it in the snow at the top/bottom of the lift with any suggestions you can think of... it'd probably stay if patrol agrees

**tone capone** · 12-20-2008, 11:24 PM

Exactly. Maybe we should be involved to help patrol make it work smoothly.

**workinforturns** · 12-21-2008, 12:35 AM

what about like the JH back country sign where it says "your going to die," "certain death," and "no dumb fucks allowed." oh and maybe some skull and cross bones in the middle of the sentences.

**juanbendedknee** · 12-21-2008, 12:41 AM

Any info w/ the busted back?

Looks like the kid is okay. 3 weeks in bed then back to skiing. Maybe someone should name a spine out there for him.

Didn't catch his name though...

I did have a chance to see a million gapers standing above cliffs on the lift ride up.

Anyone know the name of the chute below the lift and just to skiers right?

**NWFlow** · 12-21-2008, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by single

Our current system (the one we have on the ridge) works fine, and I dont see why they would change it for slushman's, especially since they are treating that terrain the same way.

You don't need a partner or a shovel to hike the ridge anymore.

The new rules don't say you can't ski with a partner. I think most people still will, but it gives everyone the opportunity to make decisions for themselves. Focusing too much on having proper avi gear is a little silly at the area where many people probably do not know how to use it. The patrol seems to be approaching the situation realistically and hopefully it will work out.

**Lexi-Bell** · 12-21-2008, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by single

I dont see why you would have to wear a beacon and carry a shovel if you dont need a partner.

Patrol says body recovery.

Hi Fi · 12-21-2008, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by workinforturns

what about like the JH back country sign where it says "your going to die," "certain death," and "no dumb fucks allowed." oh and maybe some skull and cross bones in the middle of the sentences.

what about a big dry-erase whiteboard w/ "no traversing across slopes unnecessarily: ski from the ridgeline where possible please" and "be mindful of those below: don't send avalanches onto people's heads please" and "if you cause a huge fuckin scene and need an elaborate rescue, we'll provide it once but then you're back to alpine lift forever" etc. etc. etc.

maybe on the same whiteboard there could be a space for parties to describe their OB locations for others to see, just so people kinda have an idea as to where others are skiing/skinning...just a thought.

eg., "bob and jon out to bostwick burn trees, exit 10:30am, plan return up w. ridge of saddle pk. at 2pm"

it would suck to be skinning back into the resort and have some dude centerpunch something onto your ass when you were trying to travel safely.

**single** · 12-21-2008, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by NWFlow

You don't need a partner or a shovel to hike the ridge anymore.

Whoah. I had no idea. That just seems strange.

**cowdog** · 12-21-2008, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by single

Whoah. I had no idea. That just seems strange.

There was no way to enforce it.

Going to be interesting to see how the new lift and regs sort out over the season. Lots of "learning" will happen from all involved. Sort of like how we'll all have some "learning" to do with the new economy. Learning aside, I suspect both will have a sorting effect on skiers; whether desirable or not, we'll just have to find out.

**tone capone** · 12-21-2008, 11:49 AM

what about a big dry-erase whiteboard w/ "no traversing across slopes unnecessarily: ski from the ridgeline where possible please" and "be mindful of those below: don't send avalanches onto people's heads please" and "if you cause a huge fuckin scene and need an elaborate rescue, we'll provide it once but then you're back to alpine lift forever" etc. etc. etc.

Bring it on.

**lobstahmeatwad** · 12-21-2008, 12:08 PM

Beacons are required so good people don't have to waste their time and potential injury finding your frozen carcass. Carry a picture ID also so your girl friend doesn't have to identify your missing face in the morgue by the size of your genitalia.
How bout 'take chances, ski something above your ability and loose your pass'-not that you can enforce this.

**XtrPickels** · 12-21-2008, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by hick

People need to take resonsibilty for themselves. So, 2 dumbasses are better than one? You don't need partner to ski the Agui du Midi (sp?) in Chamonix and their little program works just fine. Getting rid of that policy at Bridger was a step in the right direction. Don't be such Freedom haters.

I feel as though the mindset of Euro's and americans is vastly different. There is respect for the mountains by the people who ski them in europe.

In America, people see "avalanche beacon / you could die here / don't cross this line" as "FUCK YEAH DAWGS THIS IS THE EXTREME GNAR GNAR SHIT AND WE GOTTA POACH THAT YO." Hence the dumbasses where they don't belong.

Just remember that we are required to drive on the right side of the road, and have a license. Why don't we let everyone drive regardless of age or driver education... and let them go left side, right side, middle, shoulder...where ever they want. By following SOME rules, we're able to continue to do things we enjoy.

I don't want to see people getting hurt. I don't want to see ambulances. The people who got hurt probably fall into 1 of 2 catagories.
1. They were perfectly able to to ski the line, but something went wrong (ie snow snake, flat light etc etc)
2. They didn't have the skills to safely negotiate the line.
It would be interesting to get honest answers from those who were injured.

I see beacons but not avy gear or partners as being useful to:
1. Decrease the amt of people with access
2. Recover bodies.
Nothing more nothing less.

Your partner at bridger is just like your partner in the BC. You gotta choose the right ones. I know the people I skied with regularly (4 or so peeps) I'd definately hit the BC with. Well, maybe not Lobstahmeatwad, that guys kinda a loose cannon...

**single** · 12-21-2008, 04:52 PM

On a side note...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday Late Afternoon: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy and cold, with a steady temperature around 5. Wind chill values as low as -9. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tonight: Snow likely, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 3. Wind chill values as low as -11. South wind between 7 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Monday: Snow. High near 12. Wind chill values as low as -14. South southeast wind between 5 and 8 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches possible.

Monday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -4. Wind chill values as low as -16. Northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

HELL YEAH!!!!

**butterscotch** · 12-21-2008, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by single

On a side note...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELL YEAH!!!!

Already snowing up there. Plus, super double secret stealthy schlasman's opening this afternoon. Life is good at Bridger Bowl.

Not to continue to stoke the partner/no partner debate, but I looked around a little more than I did on Friday. Holy fuck. Schlasman's ravine is completely insane. Lots of groups navigating very carefully. Some in pretty bad spots. Makes it easier to understand the the folks who think partners should be required.

**single** · 12-21-2008, 05:13 PM

I am stoked to go ski tomorrow! If anyone want to meet up, I will be in a bright orange jacket with tankers or JJ's.

**tone capone** · 12-21-2008, 05:15 PM

Holy fuck. Schlasman's ravine is completely insane.

It gets alot better with more snow. Hopefully people respect that while we have a good base, The steep tree spine gnar has a ways to go.

**BridgerBro** · 12-21-2008, 06:00 PM

so, uhhh, i dont know if any one else has noticed but broncos is skiing really hot these days. delicious chalky snow that you can go really fast on. I may channell my inner slow dog noodle this winter and dedicate myself to buckin the bronc!1 wooo hooo!!111!

**hick** · 12-21-2008, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by tone capone

It gets alot better with more snow. Hopefully people respect that while we have a good base, The steep tree spine gnar has a ways to go.

Unfortunately that shit is gonna get shralped off everyday the bullwheel turns cause that shit is now officially inbounds. Oh well, I still love that lift. So nice to spin laps on quality terrain (with a hike so short it barely merrits mention). Fingers crossed for Monday storm, its good to be unemployed.