Comments on: Three Myths of Avlanche Survival — Followup and Myth 3

By: adymerski

adymerski — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:52:24 +0000

It sounds like you got it all figgered out G altho I question anybody that has it all figgered out. Lots of luck, maybe, but not pure luck. I “fought like hell” when I had to and remained calm. I was not buried and stood up when it stopped. A passive ride would have had a much different outcome.

By: Geof

Geof — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:22:20 +0000

ADY…

Your situation was pure luck… some avy stories are like yours. Glad you made it out!

The movie illustrates a growning trend in the “younger” generation to push the limits without regard to potential outcome. Personally, Blake made a stupid mistake IMO. ESPECIALLY given his new responsibility reality (child on the way) I became a father 13 yrs ago. I have to admit, it has made my prudence much sharper.

It is a difficult task to weigh risk and responsibility in the games we play. The very nature of BC skiing, climbing etc is risk. To what degree we choose to push is a touchy subject. When do we say “no- it’s too risky” especially when adrenalin is clouding our minds? We are junkies for the most part… more is better… then the time comes.

To the beacon discussion: I agree with Lou. Beacons, really, are pretty much common sense. My beacon won’t even register unless it’s pointing in the proper direction, which is usually downhill-ish. In the time I’ve spent with friends “finding” each other it’s never failed nor been difficult to use. I hope though, I NEVER have to use it for real…

By: adymerski

adymerski — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:03:44 +0000

nothing is always the right thing to have happen. I took a ride on a large slab last year with non-releaseable telemark bindings. I was able to ride on my ass and my ski bases which provided additional floatation. See Dale Atkins “brazil nut effect.” I’m sure there are instances when one would want to lose gear. I sure didn’t.

By: andyw

andyw — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:23:48 +0000

RIP.

Just getting into ski mountaineering myself, this is a sobering reminder of what we all face. I don’t want to say thanks for posting this but I will say so long as there are lessons learnt. Very sobering and humbling.

Safe skiing everyone.

By: Walt

Walt — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:52:17 +0000

Well… James and Bob,
I did clarify in my “rant” … or so I thought … that I have nothing against telemarkers other than by skiing in the backcountry without releasable bindings, they are not just a liability to themselves but to those they ski with and your rescuers as well. (as you recall in the movie, those air force dudes risk their lives to save that guy.) No telemarker has actually done anything to me, therefore I am not “bitter” and I’m not sure where’s that coming from. If telemarkers used releasable bindings, who could say anything? Sure, it’s still not as good in my opinion. But snowboarders could say the same thing about alpiners. So that argument is irrelevant. My point was if you are just starting out, why bother to tele AT gear is so much more advanced and safer? Back in the day, we didn’t have much of a choice other than to tele if we wanted to ski in the backcountry. But now that isn’t the case. By the way, James, I was better than most when it came to telemarking, but I’ll say the same thing everyone else I know who has made the switch. “I’ll never go back”
But Bob, your idea for the sticker is better for sure but you are wrong about everything else.