Mountain Safety and Avalanche Awareness

Ripitz

Ripitz

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2020
Unfortunately yesterday another life was lost in the backcountry. This latest fatality brings the total to 26 so far this year. https://avalanche.org/avalanche-accidents/
With record numbers of people out there, a poor snowpack and with more snow coming, this number will most likely grow. Avalanches are not just a Western phenomenon as the accident earlier this year on Mt. Washington has shown. Nor are fatalities confined to the Whites as the 2000 Wright Peak accident in the ADKs demonstrated. There was even an avalanche (non fatal/no persons involved) in the Catskills this year. At Belleayre! WTF? Post stories, experiences, tips about general mountain safety (like skiing with a whistle) in the hopes of helping others have a safe outdoor experience.
 
Folks called the thing releasing on the mid station at Belle an avalanche. It was in fact a gravity powered "quick” release of sliding snow/H2O.
 
Last edited:
Its funny that a lot of people ( who clearly don't know much about snow) think that avi's only happen out west. Any slope at 30 deg angle to about 45 deg can slide. Especially here where we get ice layers all the time. Skiing backcountry in these areas alone to me is a bit nuts.
 
tirolski said:
Folks called the thing releasing on the mid station at Belle an avalanche. It was in fact a gravity powered "quick” release of sliding snow/H2O.
Click to expand...
I’ve read that it wasn’t technically an avalanche. It fits Merriam-Webster’s definition and certainly looks like one to me, so I’m sticking to avalanche.

Through some quick research, I was surprised to learn about many inbounds Eastern avalanches. Most of them due to snowmaking. There are reports of them at Sugarloaf, Wildcat, Cannon, Stowe, Whiteface and Holiday Valley!
1613655479748.jpeg

But maybe since these were mostly man made they weren’t “real” avalanches.
 
Rumor went some years ago taking out snowmaking equipment. Crystal was doing avi work and took out the high campbell lift...oops. On a somber note, a childhood friend of mine was the Valentine's Day splitboarder on Mont Trelease near Loveland. He lived in those mountains and was out nearly everyday there was snow. Very experienced. He was alone
 
SudsNBumps said:
On a somber note, a childhood friend of mine was the Valentine's Day splitboarder on Mont Trelease near Loveland. He lived in those mountains and was out nearly everyday there was snow. Very experienced. He was alone
Click to expand...
I’m sorry to hear that. Losing a friend is tough stuff.
 

Upcoming Public Avalanche Training Courses

The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) is a non-profit organization whose goal is to provide avalanche instructors with the tools to educate students about the knowledge and decision making skills necessary to travel in avalanche terrain., There's a lot of avalanche...
aiare.info aiare.info
have them in NH
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
© Copyright 2008 - 2025 NYSkiBlog
Join | Subscribe | Advertise | Privacy
NYSkiBlog is for the rest of us: regular people with a sense of adventure, who love to ski.
We zig when they zag. To connect with us, follow us:
NYSkiBlog Facebook.
NYSkiBlog Twitter.
NYSkiBlog Instagram.
NYSkiBlog RSS.
Back
Top