To everyone that ride sleds in the mountains, please be use your heads and be safe. This season has already claimed a high number of souls to the white concrete. Avalanches are nothing to joke about. They're are unscrupulous killers. If you're in doubt about an area you see that you want to ride and it's got some angle to it, please just go someplace else. Live to ride another day. The perfect powder that beckons you is never worth your life. Don't become a statistic.

Current avalanche numbers (notice the high number of snowmobiles involved) 2007/08 avalanche accident reports
ALWAYS check the advisories before going out for the day --> Avalanche Advisories & Bulletins

With the big storm that hit the mountain region in the US this weekend coupled by more storms on the way, avalache danger is extremely high all over the place. Arrive alive sledders!
This is a good thread for a sticky in the Mtn Section.

ACG

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Good post!
I have one thing to add to this! Wear a damn beacon people! Three people were killed by an avalanche near where I live on Saturday. Had they had beacons all of there buddy's at the bottom of the hill may have been able to get them out alive. Are your lives not worth 300 dollars?

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Great thread.

I rode yesterday in 'over the windshield' conditions. Made one short climb and topped out on the ridge. The ridge had a small 'step' to it, and I ended up riding a small wind-loaded slab about 3-4 feet deep for about 20 feet. I never would have thought it would have broke considering the trees I was in, but it did. My sled and I stayed on top, but I was becoming concerned about the trees I was approaching. Luckily it stopped short.

I was VERY happy to see that my riding buddy was on the scene within 30 seconds. KUDO's to him, because I was through the climb and coming down the ridge when it happened. I was in a spot he could not see, but when I didn't come out where he anticipated me to, he sprung into action. We ALWAYS have eyes on whoever is on the hill. I know that had I been buried, he could have gotten to me with time to spare.

Beacons, Shovels and Probes at ALL times!

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This just can't be said enough.
Practice with the beacons too.
I hide mine and hand the wife hers and tell her that I've just been burried, go find me.
She uses her beacon and finds it pretty quick now.
At first though... it's a good thing we were just practicing in the house because the time it takes at first will cost a life.

I'm glad you skated that out Chris.
It's not your time yet
Did casey fill his dawers?

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Ya, it's not my time, but the thing is, you don't know when your time is, so you need to stay prepared for a fight.

Naw, Casey keeps a pretty level head. However, he was surprised to see that it had broken loose right there, and ended up riding back down through where I had to drop out the bottom of it. It really was nothing huge, but more of an eye opener that it can happen when you least expect it. We stayed off the big stuff for 2 reasons; it was ALOT of fresh snow that had not set-up and there's been alot of wind up there. Besides, the smaller hills were more than a challenge for the M1000's.

You missed a good ride Darin! Maybe next time....

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