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Show about 11: 50, thirty- five minutes after the slide occurred. He was unconscious, his breathing was shallow, but he was apparently uninjured. Two patrolmen administered oxygen, and he soon regained consciousness. COMMENTS This near- miss emphasizes the importance of maintaining strict . coordination and skier control when snow safety work is done in an operating ski area. All work in potential avalanche areas must be accompanied by stringently enforced closures of the danger areas - even when the snow is apparently stable. This is another example of probing before a thorough check for visual clues had been made. No. 63- 1 NEAR ALTA, UTAH ( Peruvian Gulch) 2 March 1963 WEATHER FACTORS After a long snow drought, a short but intense storm on the morning of 1 March, 1963, brought six to eight inches of new snow, increasing the total depth on the Alta Guard Station stake to 59 inches. Wind level was above critical levels during the heavy precipitation period, but died down as the snowfall eased off in the afternoon. The best powder snow skiing in the otherwise snow- scarce winter was experienced as runs were reopened that afternoon. Test skiing and control work released a few small slabs of new snow from steep areas, but no general hazard appeared to have developed. Snow conditions were judged stable in the regular ski areas. ACCIDENT SUMMARY A party of six composed of R. N., Chief Patrolman of the Alta Ski Patrol, Mrs. D. L., Alta ski instructor, H. M., internationally known mountain climber, T. S., former Alta Ski patrolman, and W. S. and C. B., Alta ski patrolmen left the top of the Wildcat Lift about 5: 00 p. m. on the afternoon of 2 March for a last run down Peruvian Gulch. The party decided to ski by way of the steep slopes on the west side of Peruvian Ridge on a little- used ski run. These slopes had not yet been skied during the winter due to lack of snow and were not subject to routine avalanche control. Recognizing the possibility of avalanche danger because of the extremely steep terrain ( many areas 40 to 50 degrees), the skiers proceeded with caution, moving one at a time and taking advantage of terrain protection. At approximately 5: 15 p. m., D. L. had trouble with her binding and stopped to work on it while her companions skied ahead. Having repaired her binding, D. L. cut 84 |
