panhead_pete
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Posts posted by panhead_pete
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Hey GN a serious question. Why is there an international dislike for riding under lifts? Depending on terrain seems to be one of the safest places as you have people passing over head who can spot an incident and notify patrol if need be. The only place its been a bit sus has been under Swinging Monkey where you could almost touch the chairs when riding that 1/2 pipe under it.
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Im flying Friday Roscoe and arrive Myoko Sat morning. Have a great time in Shiga, there's some fun runs there if you get the snow that's forecast
You bringing Junky with you to Myoko? -
Based on my very imited slack country experience but now having been to a few resorts big and small in Japan and OS, Niseko Gates is undoubtably the perfect place for taking the next step from riding inbounds all day, the risk profile is ceratinly lower then SC/BC elsewhere (incl Niseko) as GN points out aand as patrol are assessing it before opening it and for me was a great place to learn some limitations in myself and also start to understand off resort risks. Having so many people around you,whilst at 1st dissapointing is a blessing in disguise if it goes bad. I just wish Id spoken to the patrol guys, just didnt want to bother them. Undoubtably my riding and knowledge increased when riding those areas so like GN points out it was a great trip. In my mind its about the only reason I recomend Niseko to anyone as besides the riding in those areas the rest isnt really my trip due to crowds etc.
Having said that its the next step which to me is a bigger one but lessened to a degree from the experience of Niseko.
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In my opinion there's a big disconnect in the recreational skier / snowboarder's mind as to what is and isn't 'safe' in the Niseko Resort Area.
My take on things is many assume that if the gates are open then everything is OK.
Many are oblivious to the dangers beyond the ropes and through the gates.
Sorry Mike was typing while you posted.... just what I was trying to say but far more eloquently.
This was pretty much my thought process the 1st year I rode there as I am sure it is with others.
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Wow that looks like a great run to poach.
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Hey Roscoe - see you next week. Drop me an email if you like panhead_pete at hotmail.com
Looks like there will be a good storm next week
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If the person was unconscious these are the steps Id be discussing as a possible approach with anyone else with me in the absence of ski patrol in the immedaiate area. Once they arrive its their show.
- Ensure that no further persons are put at risk whilst you assess the situation. Dont panic, assess all options and plan
- If there was two of you outside the hole, send the most competent skier/boarder for help if you cant summons help by comms as its unlikely two of you will be able to safely recover a 3rd person if they are unconcious, particularly if you have no rescue experience. Even if two of you can get the person out you are going to need help getting them back.
- If there are more then two send one for help then start assembling what rescue equipment you have. If there is a bigger group send two for help in case of more probs.
- From this make a decision what is possible - safely.
- Only proceed past this point IF the risk of rescue is manageable and ONLY if the person in the hole is at further risk then injuries etc aleady recieved. In short if they are dead, dont risk anyone else.
- If action needs to be taken you'll need to get someone down to them to stabilise them and assess their condition. Spinal/neck injuries would be a likely outcome. Unneccsary movement may cause significant injury. Unless you HAVE to dont move an unconscious patient. Dont remove a helmet
- Can you dig a ramp? Can you lower someone in? These would all be decions that need to be made there and then.
- Once in with them remember your first priority (after danger to yourself and others) is their airway - it overrides all their other injuries - i.e. you have to get them out as quickly as possible, clear their airway and if required commence CPR. This may require removing their helmet even if you suspect a neck injury. This is something worth practising on your friends i.e. supporting c-spine while taking of their helmet. Tricky but doable with one person; very straightforward with two.
- In addition if I had spare people send them up the fall line to guide in the patrol.
Please dont take the above as gospel, others may have a better approach which Id be keen to learn from. This is just based on some ERT training etc I've had over the years. I have never been in ski patrol so perhaps orhers who have can add more here.
And yes the reason I have bought rope and other mountaineering items is to be able to help others, cant see it being used to pull myself out of a hole. McGyver Im not.
(Edited based upon input from Jackson - thanks!)
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- Ensure that no further persons are put at risk whilst you assess the situation. Dont panic, assess all options and plan
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Glad you are OK Muika.
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Man that last pic is spooky. Looks like it was worth the hike though
Hows the ankle? -
...Will it reduce the likelihood side of the risk equation no, could it alter the consequence yes. Just the same as the recco reflector built into my new jacket. Hopefully none of us ever have to test any of this equipment in an emergency situation.
Hate to be the one to break it to you but the RECCO reflector offers you ZERO protection.
It's the greatest smoke & mirrors act in the clothing industry.
But that's just my opinion.
No worries Mike, thanks for the feedback. It wasnt one of the reasons I bought the jacket just another extra feature. Ah well another useless feature by the sounds of it
Will be using my beacon when conditions etc require. -
Thanks for you awesome contribution Wizz - stellar effort and contributuion to a thread focussed on the death of two people and what can be learn't from it with a view of improving the safety of the SJ community. Whilst other contributers to this thread and I have alternate views they contributed to the discussion in a meaningful way based upon extensive experience, what have you added? 2/10ths of .... Champ!
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That was my point - it doesnt. But most of the posts kept going on about the risks at Niseko rather than EVERY where
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Why has this discussion ended up being Niseko centric? Given the two tragic deaths happened there but its a discussion with value across a wide range locations,
You guys struggling with this concept that people actually go other places then Niseko, I guess I should have been clearer???
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Why has this discussion ended up being Niseko centric? Given the two tragic deaths happened there but its a discussion with value across a wide range locations, a lot of which have higher risk profiles then just rolling out a gate at Niseko, as pointed out by GN and others. Ride with rope or dont, its your call. For me Im packing some after this discussion and seeing the pic from Hakuba so as to be able to help others if need be and possibly myself. Will it reduce the likelihood side of the risk equation no, could it alter the consequence yes. Just the same as the recco reflector built into my new jacket. Hopefully none of us ever have to test any of this equipment in an emergency situation.
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If you have time Black Cat your board bag from Niseko and just have a carry on bag.
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Annika - great TR. Really hope to do a similar trip next season. Somehing I do every year is go to those cheesey souvneer shops in Oz and buy packets of those stuffed little koalas. Normally $10 will get you a couple packs. I try and keep a few in my jacket and back pack for times when people are really nice or the lifties are really hot. The smile they bring is gold.
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Im sure they were, but to be honest, due my my limited experience I had not considered them except when they were visible from a lift.This incident and the ensuring discussion has raised my awareness and Im better prepared to help others. How can that not be a good outcome?
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29th December 2012
Resort: Hakuba Cortina
The tree runs looked very fun but I think they are a little outside my ability. On a powder day I could see myself getting stuck or hitting a tree quite easily. The "back country" side of Cortina also looked really fun but I didn’t really know where it goes or what was down there so I thought it would be best to do it another day with someone who has done it before or at least do some research on here about that run first.
Hi Kansaiash
Great TR and pics! Im a huge fan of the resorts you went to and will be back that way in a few weeks. If I may can I offer some advice based on personal experience at Cortina and your comments above. If the tree runs are beyond you as you stated so is the slack country and back country. There are numerous good in bounds lines at Cortina that depending on the crowd will be good most of the day, including tree runs. Its an awesome place to build skills. One way to improve your tree riding skills is to find a nice run with trees along it and just go in and out back to the main run. Get to know the place and on the right day it can be as epic as you hear. But please, until you can compentently ride through the trees in deep pow, dig yourself out etc inbounds do not go outside the resort at Cortina, no matter how inviting it looks. Once you have the skills and you find others with the suitable experience etc please ensure you have all the suitable equipment with you should you head out. Whilst it looks really inviting its very serious there. Hope that doesnt come across as anything but advice to help. I've made mistakes that I hope others dont by going into places beyond my capabilities.
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Really Gary? There's been like one death caused by a glide crack as far as I can remember over the last decade at Niseko. There'd have been millions of skier days in that time. The chances of dying in a glide crack at Niseko are probably less than the chances of you slipping over on a sidewalk and dying. It's good to be aware of glide cracks as they do occur every season at Niseko but aren't you guys just taking this all a bit too far purely because of one death?
Hi GN, hope all is well. I cant and wont speak for others but can shed some light why for me Im interested in this discussion and I've just used this as a learning re what else I can carry in my pack that would be useful in a variety of scenarios not just a glide crack, particularly as Im rather new to BC. In addition Im not likely to be in the Niseko BC anytime soon more so all over Honshu where maybe conditions are different, maybe not, but I know of one guy that has fallen in a large hole already this season riding in an area Im likely to be in and they needed rope to get him out. Am I now "over" prepared" I sure hope so. Maybe it was those years as a "Patrol Leader" in the scouts or now being in my 40s and being more risk adverse then ever.
I'll still take risks but want to be the best prepared I can be.. 
This is a pic from the incident last week in Hakuba BC. This and the glide incidents this week is why there is now rope etc in my pack.
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What length of rope will you carry Pete?
Mine is 10m long mate, now please understand Im no expert and this may or may not be sufficent.
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Go Sarah!!! Good on ya Mike for helping randoms have fun.
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If you had a car.
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Ippy cant you just order in the right size Blazes if that's what you want?
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Gary is absolutey correct. Knots etc great diminish rope strength. Yesterday I bought some 6mm rope rated to 750kg, a small pulley, 48" tape for wrapping around a tree or person and 2 x Quick Draws. The rope whilst thin can be doubled up as required. Would have prefered 11mm but couldnt carry a long enough length.
Karma Karma Karma Karma Karma Comedia (weekend 2nd and 3rd Feb)
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
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You do know its raining dont you???