5 Die In Snowboarding Avalanche @ Loveland Pass
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Avy Danger is Moderate to Considerable in most of the high country per CAIC. |
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I heard. Very sad. |
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Here's a photo of where the avi occurred. |
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Wow, that looks like a prime avalanche slope. That was massive, a 10 feet thick slab. Definitely, check the conditions before venturing on or below that slope. Too bad about the victims. RIP |
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Yikes |
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My condolences to everyone with a stake in this. When I read this I had to wonder, how was it 5? The article says they were all nearing the bottom of the slope when the avalanche happened. Sounds like everyone got excited and forgot about the basic practices. |
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From the article it sounds like they had skins on. Very experienced group. Certainly would not be questioning their decision making without having been there. Condolences to their families and friends. I knew Rick from taking an Avy 1 class he was co-teaching, and he was a super nice, energetic, happy and funny guy. |
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This is really unfortunate and some of the comments on the article linked are very lacking in tact to say the least. These were all people in the outdoor industry so it's likely they have friends or family who post here. Something to keep in mind. |
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Ironically, this avalanche occurred while a sponsored snowboard event to benefit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center was underway at Loveland Valley. I don't know if the snowboarders involved in the avalanche were participants, or sales reps, etc.: |
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Paul-B wrote: +1 Really sad that EVERYONE was caught, should have only had one person in the zone at a time. I am worried that perhaps 4/20 festivities may have clouded some judgement? A sobering reminder that no matter what experience you have someone will make a mistake. Speak up if you feel uncomfortable. I once failed to speak up when I did not feel comfortable with my belayer's technique, I decked....I was lucky to learn that lesson with minor injuries.With all due respect you really dont know what the fuck you are talking about.... But feel free to keep talking out of your ass! Sounds like they were all experienced and sometimes its impossible to keep everyone out of a dangerous zone. It sounds like it was a massive avalanche, someone above mentioned one of the victims was teaching a avy 1 class. I suppose you know more than someone in that position? Arm chair quarterbacks are great... Also 4/20 festivities? Really? Are you seriously that dumb or naive? I take it you have never been high before.... If anything it would make you more cautious but to suggest they were all high and thats why they died in an avalanche is just rediculous. Get your head out of your ass buddy, its clear you dont know what youre talking about. |
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Paul-B wrote:I would not have expected a large group of people with that level of experience to get in a situation where all were at risk. I don't think any instructor out there would say that was good practice or unavoidable.Again, do you know the area or the terrain they were in? Have you been backcountry skiing before? There are lots of times where the whole group is at risk of getting taken out by a huge 50 year avalanche type event. Its all just risk management, as a climber I would think you would get that. You don't know the circumstances AT ALL so why would you comment that what they were doing was irresponsible or bad practice? No offense... I just dont get why you would throw your opinion out on something you have no clue about? I guess some people just like to hear themselves talk. |
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"They could have thought they were in a safe zone on the edge of the path but the slide was exceptionally large = end result. Backcountry travel involves an amount of risk that cannot be mitigated, this is a tragic example. |
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That was avoidable, it was not a once in a 50year event. However, I probably would have been caught too. I obviously wasn't out there but I did check out the slide path today in person while coming down us6-you can easily stop at the switchback and walk out. |
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GLD wrote:That was avoidable, it was not a once in a 50year event.I never said this slide was a 50 year slide so work on your reading skills a bit bud. I was simply saying I dont think Paul-B knows all the facts so he shouldn't be throwing speculation out there. Either way the slide's size might not have been a 50 year slide but when was the last time 5 people died in one avalanche in Colorado.... Oh yeah, 50 years ago.... |
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This incident is so sad and frustrating. |
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K Weber wrote:People die in avalanches because of trauma and asphyxia. Gear helps that very little.Bahaha not true at all. Have to disregard everything else you said after such a statement. |
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EricSchmidt wrote: Bahaha not true at all. Have to disregard everything else you said after such a statement.Well, do enlighten us ERIC. How do avalanches kill people then? |
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OldManRiver wrote: Have a little humility.+1 |
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OldManRiver wrote:Have a little humility.+1 and +vibes |
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Very sad news. My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who passed on. |
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Good post Mitch. This sucks. Let's not make it worse. There was recent, localized, but not well publicized, evidence for the potential for this kind of slide. Nasty little terrain trap, looks like. |