Avi kills avi forecaster

[legalskier]

Rare On-The-Job Death For Avalanche Forecaster In Utah

"...Patterson possessed and deployed an avalanche air bag, a relatively new device designed to keep victims near the surface during snow slides. ...also had an AvaLung, which can provide oxygen when buried in snow. ..."

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way...he-job-death-for-avalanche-forecaster-in-utah

 

[ski stef]

that's a shame - sad & scary story especially that they can and more than often are working solo in avi conditions.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Wait, avalanche experts and forecasters tend to "work alone"?

Huh?

I thought rule #1 is to "never ski alone" in avalanche country. So..... WTH?

 

[deadheadskier]

Wait, avalanche experts and forecasters tend to "work alone"?

Huh?

I thought rule #1 is to "never ski alone" in avalanche country. So..... WTH?

I think the article makes it pretty clear how rare such casualties are, so I'm not sure it's even worth questioning judgment here.

Even if he was part of a group, catastrophes happen. 3 Patroller's were killed at Aspen Highlands in the 80's doing avi control work in Highland Bowl. Pros in assessing dangerous conditions just like Mr. Patterson. The tragedy and 3 lives lost are memorialized with a monument and three trails named after them at the top of the mountain near the location of their deaths. Had Craig been working in a group, there's no guarantee we wouldn't be talking about additional families and friends morning now.

RIP Craig

 

[kingslug]

Terrible..I always read their reports when I'm there...

 

[BenedictGomez]

I think the article makes it pretty clear how rare such casualties are, so I'm not sure it's even worth questioning judgment here.

My comment wasn't about questioning his judgement, my comment was about the conflicting nature of what the article seems to state about how those people work, and what the public at large is told is safe (sort of a goose/gander thing).

 

[thetrailboss]

I saw this yesterday...freak thing and really sad. He was 34 and an avid backcountry skier. For those that have not been out here, BCC is where Solitude and Brighton are.