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hi_vis360
November, 2024

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CONTOUR camera saved my life.

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A^frame
Posts: 297 - Karma: 297
I’m just your average skier from the Pacific Northwest. The last 3 years have been very good to us bringing record snowfalls. With record snowfalls, come escalated avalanche conditions. I got in my first avalanche on December 19, 2010. This day forever changed my life…



I was wearing an Avalanche Beacon this day, but was not carrying a shovel or probe. I was a liability to the friends I was with, but luckily I self arrested and avoided being sucked to my inevitable fate.

I got in my second avalanche on April 15, 2012…



This day I was carrying a beacon, probe, and shovel, but I lead my friends into a 37 degree slope late on a spring day with no formal avalanche training, a severely dangerous condition. This triggered a wet slide and I jeopardized myself and the friends I was guiding. This day also changed my life.

These 2 separate incidents lead me to a formal Avalanche training, the AIARE level 1. I now would never travel into the Backcountry ill prepared. It may have taken my NEWBed out POV camera, to emphasize these particular moments of my life. I believe, despite its glamorous appeal, it has also taught me some very unique lessons. I have relived these moments on multiple occasions and believe they have also affected the others around me.

Luckily my current avalanche knowledge has allowed trips like this…

Jul 31 2013 1:40PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
I don't get how the POV camera saved you're life?
Jul 31 2013 2:24PM
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A^frame
Posts: 297 - Karma: 297
It made me realize I was making bad decisions.
Jul 31 2013 2:28PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
kind of where im at. You made mistakes and learned from them, but did the POV foster those changes, or did YOU.
Jul 31 2013 2:30PM
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A^frame
Posts: 297 - Karma: 297
I guess that is tough to answer. The first avalanche I got in scared the shit out of me. Having recorded it, allowed me to relive the experience and reevaluate the situation. I believe the contour was a catalyst towards better decision making. perhaps I exaggerated the title.
Jul 31 2013 2:34PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
The sheer number of asshats with gopros that don't even have all their avi gear on lock is fucking disturbing these days.




Jul 31 2013 2:50PM
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A^frame
Posts: 297 - Karma: 297
fully agree. That's why I made the thread. Really a PSA for retards like myself.
Jul 31 2013 2:56PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
i guess that makes a little sense.

Although it seems like everytime I put my contour on I end up making a sketch decision in order to try to get banger footage.

My 'sphere of acceptable risk' is way larger when there is a camera involved (aka when my ego is involved).
Jul 31 2013 2:58PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
Only had time to watch the first one, but I'm glad you posted it, too many people make the assumption 'oh trees, I'll be safe there'. The harsh truth is, if the trees are sparse enough to ski, it can slide.
Jul 31 2013 3:02PM
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A^frame
Posts: 297 - Karma: 297
That's a valid topic to this thread. I believe I beat my own stupidity in time though.

The Camera initially made me make worse decisions.

Example..."Oh that areas closed", but But I can catch 3 feet of fresh on video. I'm going.

Poor Decision making.
Jul 31 2013 3:04PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
not to mention, the slide he trigger would have doubtfully resulted in a full burial. The real danger in that particular situation is trauma induced by slamming into a tree. We had two deaths (SIP) in teton county last season from slides with crowns less than a foot. Both died as a result from trauma; one was pulled into a tree and the other down a cliff.

Typically tree's do provided good anchor points but there are many other factors that need to be accounted for. In the OP's circumstance, he cut directly below a cliff where the slab its primarily held in place by tension from the snow below. His ski cut was enough to reduce the bond and the pocket release above him. Had he taken a line a bit lower in the trees, the snow might not have slid. (or it could have been worse, hard to say without having any knowledge of the specific conditions)
Jul 31 2013 3:23PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
in addition trees with low, buried branches create much better anchors than trees without them.
Jul 31 2013 3:27PM
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A^frame
Posts: 297 - Karma: 297
good observations.
Jul 31 2013 3:38PM
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OutdoorResearch
Posts: 19 - Karma: 66
Great message in this post. It really shows how we ALL need to be more wise in the mountains, especially when skiing uncontrolled terrain.
Jul 31 2013 4:08PM
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HolySchimmel
Posts: 1601 - Karma: 1,297
Good for you that you learned from your experiences. Really cant understand people going into bc without any gear and even less experience with avalanches. I personally wouldnt let anyone without full avy gear and proper training go out with me. Its a liability to my life in the first place, not the guy not having the stuff. Also, gotta say that I really hate all the bc edits you see with people riding without gear, gives such a wrong opinion to people new to the sport...
Jul 31 2013 4:43PM
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,525
Yep the POV did not save your life. Luck did! The crazy thing is, you could have very easily killed your buddies too. Glad you have started to look into training. You must realize that your Avi 1 is just the start. Know the pack, test your equipment and the people your with. Good luck out there, sounds like you need it.
Jul 31 2013 5:43PM
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