Descending Mt. Stupid Avalanche mistakes and misunderstandings By Tom Rogers

Phrases uttered atop Mt. Stupid: “Historically, the Amazons would cut off their right breast so they could shoot a bow and arrow.” “The American Civil War really had nothing to do with slavery.”

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Professional

We’re always cautious when skiing in the backcountry- only one skier goes at a time!

You ski this chute first and then stand directly in the middle, and I’ll just ski right down on top of you.

We’ve got a bomber group of experienced backcountry skiers. What could possibly go wrong!?

Heck with the avalanche gear – I’m skiing the East!

We always dig a pit on the first day of our week-long backcountry ski trips!

Snow pits Snow pits are great for telling you the conditions of the snowpack at that time, on that slope, in the current weather.

(And for some reason we dig them in completely flat fields!!)

Yeah, Jenny took a 2- day avalanche seminar back in college! She totally knows what she’s doing! You sure about this?

Authority is greatly overrated Odds of dying in an avalanche increases with level 1 avalanche certification

I’m such a good skier, which naturally means I know a lot about avalanche safety!

Skiing ability Avalanche knowledge

I’m not scared– I’ve got all the proper avi gear!

Avi gear is mostly useless

Like a seatbelt on a plane

Best piece of avalanche gear

Second best piece of avalanche gear

Did you guys remember to rent your avi gear? Yup!Absolutely! Borrowed it from a friend!

Avalanche gear you don’t know how to use is totally useless

I’m okay with dying doing something I love

Avalanches are not glamorous education/op-ed-calling-bullsht/ education/op-ed-calling-bullsht/

Avalanches are not glamorous education/op-ed-calling-bullsht/ education/op-ed-calling-bullsht/ 12 feet of snow in a week, a fresh foot overnight

Avalanches are not glamorous Jared Spackman, Jackson, WY,

Will this group die in an avalanche?

Will this group die in an avalanche? Probably not!

Now onto a review of basic avalanche concepts…

Avalanche Triangle Snowpack Weather Terrain Human

Avalanche Triangle Snowpack Weather Terrain Human

Terrain, terrain, terrain “When snowpack, weather, or people are the question, terrain is the answer.” – Bruce Tremper Bruce Tremper

Snow Pits

Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim

Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim 2)Make sure the danger has passed

Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim 2)Make sure the danger has passed 3)Scan the surface of the snow

Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim 2)Make sure the danger has passed 3)Scan the surface of the snow 4)Tell other skiers to turn their beacons to search mode

Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim 2)Make sure the danger has passed 3)Scan the surface of the snow 4)Tell other skiers to turn their beacons to search mode 5)Turn your beacon to search mode

Search Patterns

Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim 2)Make sure the danger has passed 3)Scan the surface of the snow 4)Tell other skiers to turn their beacons to search mode 5)Turn your beacon to search mode 6)Probe

Probe line 86% of the 140 victims found (since 1950) by probing were already dead.

Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim 2)Make sure the danger has passed 3)Scan the surface of the snow 4)Tell other skiers to turn their beacons to search mode 5)Turn your beacon to search mode 6)Probe 7)Shovel

Shoveling

Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim 2)Make sure the danger has passed 3)Scan the surface of the snow 4)Tell other skiers to turn their beacons to search mode 5)Turn your beacon to search mode 6)Probe 7)Shovel 8)Treat victim

Treating an avalanche victim

1)Move only if necessary, otherwise dig around

Treating an avalanche victim 1)Move only if necessary, otherwise dig around 2)Check ABC’s

Treating an avalanche victim 1)Move only if necessary, otherwise dig around 2)Check ABC’s 3)Administer CPR for up to 30 minutes

Treating an avalanche victim 1)Move only if necessary, otherwise dig around 2)Check ABC’s 3)Administer CPR for up to 30 minutes 4)Check for shock and continue secondary assessment

Treating an avalanche victim 1)Move only if necessary, otherwise dig around 2)Check ABC’s 3)Administer CPR for up to 30 minutes 4)Check for shock and continue secondary assessment 5)Stabilize for neck or spinal injuries

Treating an avalanche victim 1)Move only if necessary, otherwise dig around 2)Check ABC’s 3)Administer CPR for up to 30 minutes 4)Check for shock and continue secondary assessment 5)Stabilize for neck or spinal injuries 6)Evac immediately

And finally…The Kings of Mt. Stupid