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The snowpack is crazy unstable

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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
A few people have already been killed from avalanches this year. It is really unstable out there. Tahoe, Colorado, Montana, everywhere is experiencing an unstable snowpack.

If you don't have a BPS and some training/knowledge just stay inbounds.
Dec 13 2016 5:47PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
Pineapples look to ruin the snowpack in Jahoe here soon. Get out your kayak. Put away your skis.

Wasatch snowpack is holding in okay. Seems that way from reports out of CO. Even Tetons look Okay.

Tahoe pics and reports do look scary. Seems like some people were doing dumb shit and now are in the news.

Lots of snow up in PNW and some rough times up there with tree wells. 2 now have happened.

Other side of the country, 2 old people died of unrelated ski activities on the slopes at K Mart. Droppin dead while skiing at an old age seems like a solid way to go.
Dec 13 2016 7:16PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
just so you know 8 people died inbounds last year
vrs 2 avalaunche fatalities
one of which was a guided client
and the utah overall snow structure snow pack is the best early season i remember in the last 4 and ive seen crazy unstable
funny how inbounds deaths dont get hyped
skiing is an inherently dangerous activity
but cool psa bro
Dec 13 2016 11:02PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
SkiBum.Lots of snow up in PNW and some rough times up there with tree wells. 2 now have happened.

.


2?


And yeah, I actually dont like the super deep 3+ft days... just too much easy to find danger that can happen to anyone, even when doing everything right.
Dec 14 2016 12:10AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
californiagrown2?


And yeah, I actually dont like the super deep 3+ft days... just too much easy to find danger that can happen to anyone, even when doing everything right.


I know there was the recent incident at Alpintal. And wasn't there one opening weekend at Whistler? Guess that's not PNW. Same area. Different country.
Dec 14 2016 12:34AM
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Casey
Posts: 7785 - Karma: 23,466
SkiBum.I know there was the recent incident at Alpintal. And wasn't there one opening weekend at Whistler? Guess that's not PNW. Same area. Different country.


The death at Alpental was an in bounds tree pit suffocation. Just kind of a fluke bad luck deal.
Dec 14 2016 1:23AM
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Hugh_Conway_jr
Posts: 746 - Karma: 467
SkiBum.I know there was the recent incident at Alpintal. And wasn't there one opening weekend at Whistler? Guess that's not PNW. Same area. Different country.


Yup. Opening day at blackcomb. snowboarder died in a tree well.

Tree wells are responsible for something like 20% of ski deaths.

PNW totally includes BC. Cascadia, represent.
Dec 14 2016 1:42AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
SkiBum.I know there was the recent incident at Alpintal. And wasn't there one opening weekend at Whistler? Guess that's not PNW. Same area. Different country.


Didn't hear about the WB incident.

I skied 2 laps in the exact little zone as the alpental death on the day of. Freaky. A downhill skier saw him go in, but they couldn't reach him in time. The way conditions were, and the area they were in it would have taken 30 mins to go back uphill 50 ft.
Dec 14 2016 1:57AM
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Hugh_Conway_jr
Posts: 746 - Karma: 467
californiagrownDidn't hear about the WB incident.

I skied 2 laps in the exact little zone as the alpental death on the day of. Freaky. A downhill skier saw him go in, but they couldn't reach him in time. The way conditions were, and the area they were in it would have taken 30 mins to go back uphill 50 ft.


Crazy sad. there was a FB post from a guy who heard someone calling for help that day, but he couldn't hike up to find him, and all the downhill traffic was too stoked up to stop and help out.

We expose ourselves to a lot of risk while skiing. both in the BC and the Park... the unfortunate reality is that most people, even those of us who consider ourselves to be 'experts', don't fully appreciate it, and likely could do more to mitigate our risk / limit our exposure... easier said than done, I know. But still good food for thought.
Dec 14 2016 2:23AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Hugh_Conway_jrCrazy sad. there was a FB post from a guy who heard someone calling for help that day, but he couldn't hike up to find him, and all the downhill traffic was too stoked up to stop and help out.

We expose ourselves to a lot of risk while skiing. both in the BC and the Park... the unfortunate reality is that most people, even those of us who consider ourselves to be 'experts', don't fully appreciate it, and likely could do more to mitigate our risk / limit our exposure... easier said than done, I know. But still good food for thought.


But in a situation like that, what could be done differently? Other than, don't ski pow near trees.
Dec 14 2016 9:44AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
californiagrownBut in a situation like that, what could be done differently? Other than, don't ski pow near trees.


The only thing that I think could be "different" is be more prepared as a skier. I saw the pics out of Alpintal opening day. It was stupid deep. Avy lung or air bag could have saved him in a face down tree well situation...maybe? Don't know.

Shits scary.
Dec 14 2016 10:59AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
SkiBum.The only thing that I think could be "different" is be more prepared as a skier. I saw the pics out of Alpintal opening day. It was stupid deep. Avy lung or air bag could have saved him in a face down tree well situation...maybe? Don't know.

Shits scary.


If you catch a tip and get shitwhipped into a tree well headfirst it'd be tough to get the moutgpiece into your mouth, and what would an airbag do other than restrict your ability to move and clear your face?

Dude was only in the well for 2 mins because it was a well traveled area. Scary to think such mellow skiing is so dangerous.

That's a big reason I think the whole "tree well safety" spiel gives people a false sense of security and is frankly, kinda BS. If you fall in, no one is saving you in time unless you happen to be the downhill partner. It's up to you to try and remain calm, clear your face, then get right side up. That's a lot easier said than done though.
Dec 14 2016 11:13AM
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Jtmunn
Posts: 30 - Karma: 73
I know someone got caught in a tree well and passed away at snoqualmie within the last week or so,
Dec 14 2016 3:33PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Ski with a partner and do not be afraid to pull off for any reason. I've been glad to have a beacon and kit inbounds these past two weeks at Stevens - huge snow and sketchy shit.
Dec 15 2016 1:10AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51261 - Karma: 157,432
Don't be scared just be prepared for the worst - Jedi mind

Been bumping too much hip hop again
Dec 15 2016 1:27AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
RudyGarmischSki with a partner and do not be afraid to pull off for any reason. I've been glad to have a beacon and kit inbounds these past two weeks at Stevens - huge snow and sketchy shit.


yup. Same. 3/4 days ive skied this year have been on brand newly opened terrain with 18"+ of overnight snow on it too. no slabs because the snow has been so damn light, but ive got a few loose snow sections to go, and gotten heavily sluffed in areas. Not to mention the issue of such a deep unconsolidated snowpack NARSID is a very real and serious issue for everyone regardless of skill or how careful you try to be.

Anytime i ride pow i wear my full bc kit. Acts as a back protector as a side bonus.
Dec 15 2016 1:40AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
NARSID is no fucking joke. Stay safe out there everyone
Dec 15 2016 9:26AM
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