After the big Christmas gift we got, I am compelled to conduct some major pissin and moanin as the result of a couple occurrences I either witnessed or was informed of regarding skiing in the last few days.
First:
On our last run of the day on Christmas, hardrider and I cranked down the Palisades ropeline, arcing some of the most enjoyable pow GS turns I've done since Las Lenas. When I got near the bottom of the slope where we had to pick our way through the trees, I dropped into a gully and popped out onto the small ridge next to it and stopped, expecting hardrider to be right behind me.
When I didn't see him, I figured he'd be bustin down the slope soon, so I whipped out my camera to get a shot for the boards.
He didn't come.
So I started screaming for him so I could direct him onto a clean ridge for the shot. I hollered a number of times. No answer. I waited. Suddenly, I hear heavy breathing and see his head in the gully. He's looking a little flushed and breathing very heavy. Turns out he came into the gully, went down and was buried by his sluff. Luckily, he managed to get out, but not without that moment of panic that comes when you're not sure you'll make it. I could have turned my transceiver to search, but one transceiver does not a location make.
Second:
After spending yesterday nursing my extra-stretched muscles and aching bones, I phone Punani for a report. He tells me he rode an avie in-bounds in Eagle Bowl. I ask if he has a transceiver. Nope.
Two in-bounds incidents that could have resulted in good friends dying. Two incidents where I could have been the one buried and my friends would likely have not been able to locate me due to a frugality in their budgets that will eventually cost a life unless they stay on groomers. I posted on this issue at the start of the season because I didn't want to have to ream assholes about it after something bad happened. So I have only two things to say:
1. SLIDES AND BURIALS OCCUR INBOUNDS.
2. WTF IS WITH YOU GUYS NOT HAVING NOT ONLY TRANSCEIVERS, BUT ALSO SHOVELS AND PROBES IN YOUR PACKS?
I am seriously considering PM Gear carrying some high quality transceivers, probes, and poles at a super-low markup so you guys will buy one. I hate it when my ski partners die and I have to continue to get the goods without them. Let me know if you'd like to exchange your living wills for a willingness to live and I'll do my best to create the best avie gear deal on the net.
-splat
