Lots of snow and wind-loading: Careful!

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Friend of mine was caught in an in-bounds slide today in Private Reserve today. She set off a 60' wide slide that buried and tumbled her. She surfaced just before set-up. Both skis are gone for good, as well as gloves, goggles, hat etc. The good news is she is unhurt. She did have a peep, and her partner had a peep and shovel as well. Apparently she was one of two in-bounds slides and burials today, though I cannot confirm the second.

There is an enormous amount of snow on the back side now, due to both snowfall, and tremendous wind-loading.

Eric

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Glad your friend is okay!

Bettyboarder · Fri Feb 08, 08 7:28 am

Wow glad she is ok very lucky.

Thanks for the heads up abot PR

Sol-flyer · Fri Feb 08, 08 8:10 am

i wonder if a kite could pull someone out in the midst of a slide?

Mr.Onepump · Since 11 Sep 2006 66 Posts Albany

I don't know about pulling yourself out with a kit, possibly if you weren't buried too deep and you managed to keep your' kite flying. But at least if you where cought in a slide while kiting your' budies would probably be able to see your' kite and follow your' lines throught he snow to you.

I'm glad she made it out ok, scary situation.

Ron,

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Scary stuff - was looking at the telemetry - peak gusts near 70 yesterday night and last night at 6600' at Meadows.

forrest · Fri Feb 08, 08 11:34 am

I dug pits all over meadows yesterday for fun, taking an avalanche course this weekend, so I'm just getting some practice.

From what I can tell, there were two weak layers, one about 4 inches down and another about 16 inches down. I could easily pull a 2 foot square block right off it's bed surface with just one hand. It's sketch out there, and I was really surprised they had private reserve open.

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

Does anyone know the last time heather was open? do we have to wait until the layers bond or something before it's safe?

i've hit PR solo it seemed ok but probably won't do it again considering this info. maybe its safer in the trees? i can see how those steep, open lanes could slide pretty easy (picnic rock?)

forrest · Fri Feb 08, 08 1:07 pm

It's got a lot to do with that week of really cold clear skies causing surface hoar, or frost to form. Then there is the snow falling faster than it can bond with the underlying layers. They've been bombing in the canyon everyday trying to keep the slabs from forming.

There is so much to this stuff, I'd recommend this book:
http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/productdetails.cfm?SKU=8343

If you don't have time for a book any of these videos:
http://www.avalanche.org/~uac/ed-bookvideo-3.htm

forrest · Fri Feb 08, 08 1:13 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jw1kZoHNQI&eurl=http://www.feedthehabit.com/videos/use-your-brain-in-the-backcountry-video-with-bruce-tremper/

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

forrest · Fri Feb 08, 08 5:32 pm

Also, the slide will cause the wind to do funky things, depending on size. I wouldn't be as worried with a kite attached to me though....