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All Images © WENDY CHAO 2011.
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WENDY CHAO'S SKI PAGE |
Avalanche Training | |
My
first encounter with an avalanche was in 1993, while skiing with friends
at Sundance Ski Resort. Some runs were were closed due to heavy snowfall,
but apparently two out-of-bounds skiers triggered a slide that ran onto
the open trail where we were skiing. All but one man escaped. We and
about 15 others assisted ski patrol in probing the avalanche for him,
but after an hour, we succeeded only in recovering his body. This unfortunate
event was my first informal avalanche training, and haunts me to this
day.
My second encounter with an avalanche was during an avalanche training clinic run by the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center and the Wasatch Mountain Club. We learned route finding skills, tested snow stability, and practiced backcountry skiing procedures around Mt. Wolverine and Mt. Tuscarora (near the Silver Lake area of Brighton Ski Resort). It was my turn to ski down a pitch when the snow around me suddenly crumbled, and carried me down the slope. I was able to stay on top, and came to rest covered with only a few 6-inch thick slabs of snow. Luckily, we all had avalanche transceivers, probes, and shovels, and I was accompanied by several avalanche experts. It was scary nonetheless. |
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Before I left for
avalanche training, my friend Jill left this ominous note.
My friend Joey Dempster, showing off his Mountain Noodles.
I strike a similar pose, with Mt. Timpanogos in the background.
Bob Athey, "The Wizard of the Wasatch", who told to "fight like hell" when caught in an avalanche, so that's what I did.
One of the instructors jumps on the snow to test its stability.
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