First off, my thoughts, condolences and sympathies are with the families and victims of the avalanche incident today outside of Stevens Pass Ski Resort. All the people in the party were properly equipped and experienced backcountry travelers. I was caught by the avalanche and was not completely buried. I believe my partial burial and survival was on account of the inflation of my ABS Avalanche Airbag Backpack. My thoughts and prayers are with those that lost their lives today.
(http://abs-airbag.de/us/ -hyperlink for media example of what an ABS Avalanche Airbag Backpack is)
We're all glad you're allright, Elyse.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're ok.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Elyse,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Briana Bermensolo. I'm a reporter with KION Central Coast News near Santa Cruz. Are you going to be in the area this week? I'd love to do an interview if you're available.
Please contact me at brianabermensolo@kionrightnow.com
Thank you and glad to hear you're ok
Briana
Elyse,
ReplyDeleteThis may be due to poor reporting, but it sounds like the avalanche was triggered by a group of skiers above your group. That doesn't sound like a situation experienced backcountry travelers would allow to happen.
lagarita
#lagarita- how do you know that they knew there were skiers above them? Does an avalanche happen every time skiers have other skiers below them? If so, why didn't their group start the avalanche.....because their group was experienced!!
DeleteYour post is extremely inappropriate-placing blame on Elyse and her team while they are all mourning.
Jennifer,
DeleteI'm not blaming anyone. But going into an area that the avalanche center has advised against and not coordinating with other people in the area jeopardizes your own and other peoples lives. If you don't know whether or not there are skiers above you in high avalanche danger conditions you shouldn't go into the area.
lagarita
It can all change in a second. So sad to hear. I know you were wearing the ABS Avalanche Airbag Backpack. Do you know if Jack, Chris, and John were also wearing ABS? My husband backcountry skis, but doesn't own ABS. Sounds like he needs it. Glad you are alive today. I'm am just curious to know if the others were wearing ABS. Thank you.
ReplyDelete"We can use technology to help reduce risk, but we can't eliminate risk -- and I think a lot of people see technology as a sort of shield," said Atkins, noting that half of U.S. avalanche deaths involve people wearing avalanche transceivers.
Delete"The user has to be very careful about not perceiving these pieces of personal protection equipment as shields. What they do is put you in a place to be lucky. We shouldn't use these tools thinking we can go out and expose ourselves to more danger."
Dale Atkins, president of the American Avalanche Association
Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2012/02/19/2326372/snow-enthusiasts-split-on-use.html#storylink=cpy