1. Descending Mt. Stupid Avalanche mistakes and misunderstandings By Tom Rogers

3. 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.”

4. Level 1

5. Level 2

6. Level 3

7. Professional

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

28. Skiing ability Avalanche knowledge

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

30. Avi gear is mostly useless

32. Like a seatbelt on a plane

33. Best piece of avalanche gear

34. Second best piece of avalanche gear

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

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

37. I’m okay with dying doing something I love

38. Avalanches are not glamorous http://www.powdermag.com/avalanche- education/op-ed-calling-bullsht/ http://www.powdermag.com/avalanche- education/op-ed-calling-bullsht/

39. Avalanches are not glamorous http://www.powdermag.com/avalanche- education/op-ed-calling-bullsht/ http://www.powdermag.com/avalanche- education/op-ed-calling-bullsht/ 12 feet of snow in a week, a fresh foot overnight

40. Avalanches are not glamorous Jared Spackman, Jackson, WY, 1973-2013

41. Will this group die in an avalanche?

42. Will this group die in an avalanche? Probably not!

43. Now onto a review of basic avalanche concepts…

44. Avalanche Triangle Snowpack Weather Terrain Human

45. Avalanche Triangle Snowpack Weather Terrain Human

46. Terrain, terrain, terrain “When snowpack, weather, or people are the question, terrain is the answer.” – Bruce Tremper Bruce Tremper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yujtc0UUXCE

53. Snow Pits http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcXogVHecFQ

54. Rescuing an avalanche victim 1)Watch the victim

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

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

58. 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

59. 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

60. Search Patterns

62. 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

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

64. 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

65. Shoveling

66. 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

67. Treating an avalanche victim

68. 1)Move only if necessary, otherwise dig around

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

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

71. 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

72. 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

73. 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

74. And finally…The Kings of Mt. Stupid