stayin’ alive
Ski patrollers at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort have triggered five-foot-deep slabs. The high, north faces that hold the cold, shaded powder we love to ski could be a trap, with several layers prone to avalanches.
Time for a primer on the snowpack, and to register for a backcountry safety course.
Tonight is Skinny Skis‘ annual Avalanche Awareness Night at Snow King. While not a substitute for a class, the three-hour series of presentations is a must for newcomers who may leave the resort boundaries this winter, and a helpful refresher for those more experienced in the mountains.
The event also is a benefit for Teton County Search and Rescue.
Rod Newcomb, director of the American Avalanche Institute, will give an overview of the early-season snowpack on Teton Pass. Newcomb is an Exum guide and one of the local pioneers in avalanche research.
Meteorologist Jim Woodmencey will talk about the effect of weather on slide danger. Forecasters Mike Rheam and Bob Comey of the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center will discuss their reports.
Delivering the keynote lecture will be Bruce Tremper, director of the Utah Avalanche Center and author of the book Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.
The $5 entry fee is a donation to Search and Rescue. A host of outdoor gear companies will be on hand to show off their latest safety products; there will be a 10 percent discount on purchases, and 10 percent of the proceeds will benefit Search and Rescue.
The raffle will feature thousands of dollars’ worth of gear, as well as a couple of season passes for the area ski resorts. Rando Steve of TetonAT usually serves as an entertaining, if somewhat spastic, emcee.
The evening starts at 6 p.m. in the Snow King Grand Room. The first 30 to 45 minutes usually are devoted to letting attendees mingle among the informational booths.
During this time participants can learn about the various avalanche courses being offered this season, a good idea for those wishing to earn their turns.
Explore posts in the same categories: sports, skiing, avalanches, backcountry
December 7th, 2007 at 8:53 am
next year, I volunteer to help Rod Newcomb with his graphics and bring them into the 21st century.
bruce tremper gave a great talk about the human element in avalanches and making good decisions.
he’s big on avy gear, like the Avalung and inflatable pillow, which he said has done a remarkably good job of keeping people afloat in Europe.
personally, if I need an Avalung or parachute-type device, I’d just as soon not ski that slope.
December 29th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
update as of 12/29, since I’ve received a few inquiries from afar: Some danger persists in buried layers of the snowpack, particularly on high, north-facing aspects. But the skiing has been great of late.
If you are traveling to town, consider hiring a guide before heading into the backcountry. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has guides for accessing the terrain surrounding the resort, while Exum Mountain Guides and Jackson Hole Mountain Guides can take you to the high Tetons.
I strongly suggest you stay at the resorts, however.
If you live here, it’s a smart idea to take a backcountry safety course before heading out of bounds. Stop in at Skinny Skis or Teton Mountaineering for a schedule of courses, or check the American Avalanche Institute site, www.avalanchecourse.com.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Some of those unstable layers finally gave way:
http://jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=2597