re: Snowboarder Tree Well rescue at Mt. Baker (Updated page 3)

I wonder how long he was stuck for before being found

I don't remember that well being there. Just kidding, I stayed on the paths when I went there.

shite is terrifying. I’m not a great skier and went through some trees one time and got going a little too fast (got overconfident) and was heading right for a tree. I ended up bailing and just sort of diving in front of it before I hit it. And as I laid there videos like this went through my mind and I was careful not to move too heavily and rolled back onto the trail. Once I got back on it I was relieved because this video shows just how fast shite can go sideways and there’s a chance you may be screwed and dead before anybody even knows you’re in trouble.

Good on that dude for recognizing it and acting quickly.

Amazing rescue video.
Guy is a hero.

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Just kidding, I stayed on the paths when I went there.

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Baker is one of a kind. Cheap tickets and a ton of terrain. I love the fact that it is in the middle of nowhere.

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Baker is one of a kind. Cheap tickets and a ton of terrain. I love the fact that it is in the middle of nowhere.

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Yeah, it's pretty nice. Not too far from Seattle and plenty of cabin rentals on the mountain. Unfortunately for us we didn't get fresh snow until the night before we left and it was a lot. I was probably 16 at the time and had to go borrow a shovel from a neighbor to dig the rental out. It was just me, my younger brothers, and grandma. I remember thinking half way through I can't believe no one was gonna get out of the warm van to help me.

Tree wells are no joke

I worked at a big western ski area for about 10 years. That included snow safety training every year. At the risk of sounding like a Monday orning Qb, I'll say the guy did a great thing, and is a hero, but also made a couple of mistakes. They were inconsequential in the long run, and I's also say they're understandable mistakes given the high stress nature of the situation. First and foremost, he should have gone for his shovel straight away. It makes your digging WAY more efficient and keeps the snow from falling back on the victims face as you shovel. Second when working in snow that deep/soft. You sink incredibly fast if your weight isn't distributed. When he first took off his skis, you use your poles or skis to make an cross in the snow. You can use them to help support an hand to get to the downed rider more quickly. They also help you provide leverage when you try and free the boarder.

The outcome was a good one and I'm not saying I would have done any better, but there are lessons to be learned from the video.

Props to the guy, he saved a life for sure.

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I was told by a patroller that a big gulp of soft snow while going head first in a tree well feels like breathing glass

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Then it melts and refreezes into a ball of ice and obstructs your breathing passages.

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Maybe not a good idea to ski alone in those conditions?

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FIFY