The ski patrollers of other complexes support the safety of the Mammoth mountains after Avalanche – Orange County Register

The skiing patrollers of mountain stations in California, Nevada and Colorado are in Mammoth Mountain in eastern Sierras, helping to ensure safety after an avalanche that caught two patrol boats and left a seriously injured.

“Like so many others, the ski patrol community has grown hand and offered their help,” said Joani Lynch, Mammoth Mountain marketing vice-president. “Mammoth’s leadership has given time and space to one of our teams to take the time to honor our injured patroller and his family. We have seen the opportunity to invite other mountain patrollers to fill in for the members of our team who took time. »»

Friday, February 14, an avalanche detached from Lincoln Mountain, a peak of the Dome in the ski area of ​​Mammoth Mountain. The avalanche occurred following an important snowstorm from Sierra Nevada, during which about six feet of snow fell in 36 hours.

A team of ski patrollers attenuated avalanches to prepare the popular land to be used by skiers and residents. Lincoln, who has steep chuds, rock groups and trees skiing, was closed to the public when snow came off.

The other ski patrollers have dug a patroller. The other patroller, a woman, needed RCR and was taken for the first time to Mammoth hospital. From there, it was transported by aircraft to a Reno trauma center and was described as in serious condition by Mammoth Mountain officials. Mountain officials have not given an additional update on his condition since Friday.

However, on Saturday, a position of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol Association described its condition as “extremely” critical.

Since then, the ski patrollers and those who previously worked the mountain have contacted him to ask him for the support, his family, his boyfriend and his compatriots of Mammoth Mountain. Many of the mammoth ski patrol team went to Reno to be with the injured patrollers, officials said.

On Monday, February 17, patrollers of other stations such as Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, Snow Valley, Alpine Meadows, Palisades in Tahoe and Winter Park Colorado, were on the mountain to prepare it for an influx of guests. Additional support has also come from Mountain High, the Mammoth Lakes fire service and Mammoth hospital nurses, said Lynch.

The National Avalanche Center warned against the high possibility of more slides after Friday’s avalanche. While storm conditions have been calmed in the past few days, the avalanche activity triggered by man remains high due to the old weak snow under the new snow brought by the storm, warned the center.

“Large avalanches could occur on exposed slopes near and above the trees or in sheltered subcontracting land, which people often consider safe, the alert warned, suggesting not to” travel, near or below the avalanche field ”.

In the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center reports, the forecasters warn that difficult conditions are continuing this week, even if the storm has calmed down.

“We are dealing with uncertain and difficult conditions for the moment,” published the center in its forecasts on Tuesday, February 18. “It is important to remember that the consequences of an avalanche are incredibly high.”

Among the signs of danger to search are “fissures of shooting and large collapses”. These are generally found in areas with a thinner snowpack.

“However, as the slab becomes thicker and these signs become less common, a large avalanche that fails in old snow can be the first sign that a slope is unstable,” warns the center.

Bill Medove, who worked at Mammoth Mountain for almost 30 years, including eight as a ski patroller, is very familiar with Lincoln Mountain and the dangers that the area has broken. The recent conditions of the high wind and high water load, he said, increases the threat of avalanches.

The recent avalanche occurred when the ski patrollers worked on the second and third parts of the avalanche control, he said. He added that Lincoln Mountain, near Canyon Lodge, offers expert land and is a peak, the mountain strives to open when the summit of the ski area is closed due to strong winds.

“When the winds blow on top, he takes care of the heavy wind,” he said, speaking of the race where the avalanche occurs. “Avalanche falls 3 – better known as avy 3 – is historically dangerous; You approach it with caution.

In this case, he said, probably six or seven teams of ski patrollers worked on the attenuation of avalanches. They work in pairs, but all remain in communication.

The explosives are thrown into the snow in hand, then the patrollers test the ground with their skis. The area is closed to the public, including all terrains in racing areas.

“The first strokes come and it shakes the summit,” he said. “It is never an exact science. You go out every day and look at the variables and make calculated assumptions. Many have to do with luck. »»