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This past weekend during the 16th year of my invitational ride out of Afton, we had a burial from an avalanche on Friday. There were 36 riders. Elevation was 9900’.
He was stuck in the bottom of a ravine in a fill point run-out, and the unseen cornice broke at the top. He had taken his helmet off to dig out. It was a soft roller, he jumped up as it hit him, but lots of snow & buried him 5’ under & his sled was 12’ deep. 2 others were on the side and saw/filmed the burial.
9 riders were able to respond; he was wearing a beacon, and he was located in 2-3 minutes, and dug out in 4-5 minutes. He was blue, but breathing, unhurt and VERY happy!
Even tho our training, level headedness and coordination saved his life without a doubt, there are a couple of lessons I want to share;
#1. DOUBLE & TRIPLE check that all responders have their beacons on search not transmit.!!
#2. DO NOT ride the extreme backcountry without survival / rescue gear.
#3. TRUST your equipment.
#4. Ensure someone takes charge to clear the radio channels and give orders.
#5. When responding, if you have one keep your avy pack on; take all gear with you to the dig site (some probes were forgotten in the haste to get to him).
#6. When responding, try and remember to park your sled downhill.
#7. Due to the ever vigilant awareness of the group to others while riding, the slide and burial was watched as it happened and the group was able to respond immediately.
Ride smart, Be safe. SLIM.
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He was stuck in the bottom of a ravine in a fill point run-out, and the unseen cornice broke at the top. He had taken his helmet off to dig out. It was a soft roller, he jumped up as it hit him, but lots of snow & buried him 5’ under & his sled was 12’ deep. 2 others were on the side and saw/filmed the burial.
9 riders were able to respond; he was wearing a beacon, and he was located in 2-3 minutes, and dug out in 4-5 minutes. He was blue, but breathing, unhurt and VERY happy!
Even tho our training, level headedness and coordination saved his life without a doubt, there are a couple of lessons I want to share;
#1. DOUBLE & TRIPLE check that all responders have their beacons on search not transmit.!!
#2. DO NOT ride the extreme backcountry without survival / rescue gear.
#3. TRUST your equipment.
#4. Ensure someone takes charge to clear the radio channels and give orders.
#5. When responding, if you have one keep your avy pack on; take all gear with you to the dig site (some probes were forgotten in the haste to get to him).
#6. When responding, try and remember to park your sled downhill.
#7. Due to the ever vigilant awareness of the group to others while riding, the slide and burial was watched as it happened and the group was able to respond immediately.
Ride smart, Be safe. SLIM.
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