Comments on: Memorial and Site Visit — Brettmann Avalanche http://www.wildsnow.com/1594/brettmann-avlanche-memorial-site-visit/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:16:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mark http://www.wildsnow.com/1594/brettmann-avlanche-memorial-site-visit/comment-page-1/#comment-12770 Mark Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:48:02 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1594#comment-12770 Guess we all need to erase what preconceived notions we have regarding slides and just file this sad turn of events away as another piece of information we can use to help us make informed decisions while recreating in avalanche terrain. Guess we all need to erase what preconceived notions we have regarding slides and just file this sad turn of events away as another piece of information we can use to help us make informed decisions while recreating in avalanche terrain.

]]> By: Randonnee http://www.wildsnow.com/1594/brettmann-avlanche-memorial-site-visit/comment-page-1/#comment-12767 Randonnee Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:44:39 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1594#comment-12767 In general trees may not hinder avalanching and may just add another type of hazard to the scenario. I cannot speak directly to this incident and do not wish to do so. It is more than sobering to me that this great guy was so experienced, my own experience pales in comparison, and that is frightening in light of the accident. But again, here in the Cascades trees that are spaced just enough to make turns and somewhat limbed naturally on the proper angled slope are often within active avalanche paths. We observe avalanching regularly in some areas just ripping through trees, and folks sometimes enter those areas unknowingly in regard to the fact that they are entering an active avalanche path. The size of the path required for a life-threatening avalanche is really not much. I once kicked a giant Cascade windroll above a small slope. It was as much volume as a Hummer, and fell about 15 feet to the flat, and I marveled at how that little slope would have easily killed me had I been beneath it. Out of Cory's tragedy we will reconsider and focus and perhaps benefit from it. Rob In general trees may not hinder avalanching and may just add another type of hazard to the scenario. I cannot speak directly to this incident and do not wish to do so. It is more than sobering to me that this great guy was so experienced, my own experience pales in comparison, and that is frightening in light of the accident.

But again, here in the Cascades trees that are spaced just enough to make turns and somewhat limbed naturally on the proper angled slope are often within active avalanche paths. We observe avalanching regularly in some areas just ripping through trees, and folks sometimes enter those areas unknowingly in regard to the fact that they are entering an active avalanche path.

The size of the path required for a life-threatening avalanche is really not much. I once kicked a giant Cascade windroll above a small slope. It was as much volume as a Hummer, and fell about 15 feet to the flat, and I marveled at how that little slope would have easily killed me had I been beneath it.

Out of Cory’s tragedy we will reconsider and focus and perhaps benefit from it.

Rob

]]> By: Lou http://www.wildsnow.com/1594/brettmann-avlanche-memorial-site-visit/comment-page-1/#comment-12766 Lou Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:10:53 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1594#comment-12766 Weird the CAIC report doesn't have the slope angles. I was assuming they'd be in the avy report. Louie and I were short on time when we got there so we didn't get out the slope meter. I'd estimate the starting zone was 38 degrees or so, then kicking down to the classic 35 degrees. Many of the slopes in that area start with a mean little steep pitch that's a perfect trigger zone. Weird the CAIC report doesn’t have the slope angles. I was assuming they’d be in the avy report. Louie and I were short on time when we got there so we didn’t get out the slope meter. I’d estimate the starting zone was 38 degrees or so, then kicking down to the classic 35 degrees. Many of the slopes in that area start with a mean little steep pitch that’s a perfect trigger zone.

]]> By: Brett Dolenc http://www.wildsnow.com/1594/brettmann-avlanche-memorial-site-visit/comment-page-1/#comment-12765 Brett Dolenc Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:03:28 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1594#comment-12765 What is the slope angle where this slide occured? What is the slope angle where this slide occured?

]]> By: Eric http://www.wildsnow.com/1594/brettmann-avlanche-memorial-site-visit/comment-page-1/#comment-12764 Eric Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:34:59 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1594#comment-12764 Thanks for the post Lou. My condolences go out to all of Cory's friends and family. It's sobering, to say the least. A lesson learned, as Chuck said, although it's not the way I would've like to learn it. What would you do if skiing fairly tight trees, and while skiing suddenly came out into an opening like this? Stop quickly? Turn to the edge and get back in the trees right away? Thanks for the post Lou. My condolences go out to all of Cory’s friends and family. It’s sobering, to say the least. A lesson learned, as Chuck said, although it’s not the way I would’ve like to learn it.

What would you do if skiing fairly tight trees, and while skiing suddenly came out into an opening like this? Stop quickly? Turn to the edge and get back in the trees right away?

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