Tag Archive for 'avalanche'

One of the Worst Ski Days of My Life

Published on April 17, 2012 by a ok.

It’s difficult to nail down my exact worst day of skiing. Short of a full burial by avalanche, every other episode probably pales in comparison. I say probably because that’s what I’ve heard from survivors.

Anyway, it had to happen sooner or later.. Perhaps it’s fitting that shortly after my best pow day of the season, I treated myself to one of the worst ski days of my life. After all, the idea fits the theme of this season perfectly: best year ever last season, worst year ever this season. Why wouldn’t my life resemble Mother Nature and her manic ways?

Much of the day, this was as good as it got. Is that an overhanging cornice? Underhanging? Is there a difference between ground and sky? Are you certain?

I’ve had days like this before, but as far as I can remember, this one provided just that little extra tickle to the funny bone, assuring that it wouldn’t be classified as just an ordinary off-kilter day. In my view, days like this are largely about sheer Continue reading ‘One of the Worst Ski Days of My Life’

Located in 03 Adventures, 11 Perspective, 12 Random and Wasatch 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Denied

Published on April 13, 2012 by a ok.

Aiming for something fun and interesting to ski, Swain and I ended up retreating in the face of unstable snow – widespread cracking on a large slope – and simply skied low angle powder in the vicinity of both Red Baldy and Patsy Marley. I think we spent more time pushing our way out through deep snow than actually making turns. Did I mention that the warm snow stuck to our skins mercilessly on the up, despite the addition of skin wax? Right around 9,000 feet, there was a  noticeable change in the snow consistency, switching from a heavy, cream cheese consistency to light Utah finery. Didn’t matter, both types stuck to our skins. It was a thrill a minute.

Jon gets more skin wax happening.

Fortunately, we received compensation both for being denied, as well as having to push our way downhill. On our final run to the car, we were both treated to full-on face slushies as Continue reading ‘Denied’

Located in 12 Random and Wasatch 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Colossal Inbounds Avalanche Knocks Down Chairlift

Published on March 5, 2012 by a ok.

All winter long, it’s been Europe, Europe, Europe (read, France) getting all the snow. Unfortunately, when a huge snowpack chooses to come down, it comes down in a big way. This video, shot at St Francois-Longchamp, France, is from Friday, March 2nd. It shows an avalanche colliding with an operating chairlift, knocking down several lift towers. You don’t see that every day.

Inbounds avalanche knocks down chairlift

Looks like those riding the chairlift were rescued successfully. Found some video of the resultant rescue efforts. I’ve watched practice rescues of this sort at American ski areas; they seem pretty straightforward..

Chairlift rescue

 

Located in Industry News 2 Comments Tags: , .

Avalanche Shovel Dynamics

Published on February 23, 2012 by a ok.

Ah, the humble avalanche shovel. Probably the most boring, least interesting piece of gear involved in ski mountaineering. Virtually everyone carries one, but does anyone ever think about these tools? I think most people buy one, toss it in their backpack because it’s required avalanche rescue equipment, and forget about it for the most part. Today is as good a time as any to re-evaluate that single piece of gear.

A good shovel design - the shaft is kept inside the blade sleeve, eliminating fumbling.

Efficiently cruising about in the mountains on skis involves more than simply utilizing the lightest gear. Light gear is important, but perhaps more so is the design of that gear.

Avalanche shovels offer up Continue reading ‘Avalanche Shovel Dynamics’

Located in 04 Gear I Use, 05 Gear Modifications and Going Light(er) Fast(er) Far(ther) 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Lake Blanche

Published on January 23, 2012 by a ok.

With avalanche danger pushing into the extreme realm following a deluxe delivery of some sorely needed pow pow, Travis was open to my suggestion of relatively safe, low angle powder turns on Sunday. But where to find ‘em? If you’ve been paying attention, you know that conditions are about as dangerous as it gets out there right now.

We headed up Mill B to Lake Blanche, encountering a few snowshoers along the way. We quickly caught and passed each party, simply because snowshoes aren’t nearly as effective for crossing snow covered ground as skis are. That left us breaking trail the rest of the way to the lake.

Ah, the old 'skinning by a stream' photo. They have no streams at Brighton. A fine change of scenery..

All I can say about that is that it’s most excellent to be able to break trail again. It’s been Continue reading ‘Lake Blanche’

Located in 11 Perspective and Wasatch 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

No Rules (Answer 10 of 12)

Published on November 14, 2011 by a ok.

I’ve already briefly touched on this point under other headings, but I want to more fully explore this concept: there are no rules in the backcountry. Simply put, there isn’t any police presence nor on-duty ski patrol enforcing arbitrary or undefined rules.

Ever seen a ‘SLOW’ sign at a ski resort? My natural reaction has always been, ‘How slow is slow?’ As in all things, one person’s in-control, slow skiing is another person’s reckless top speed. Without something akin to a radar gun pointing at you whilst simultaneously posting your speed, and an actual speed limit in place, slow zones at ski areas are the epitome of ‘undefined rules.’

I’m far from the only person who has pondered this concept. Several ski areas have Continue reading ‘No Rules (Answer 10 of 12)’

Located in 15 Answers 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .