Major avalanche at Utah ski resort
Rescue crews search for up to 15 who may be trapped
BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC
Updated: 4:14 p.m. ET Jan. 14, 2005
PARK CITY, Utah - An avalanche crashed down a slope near a ski run at the popular Canyons resort on Friday, a local television station reported. Rescue teams and dogs were searching for as many as 15 people who may have been trapped under the snow.
Employees of the resort, which became famous during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, told NBC affiliate KSL-TV that the avalanche occurred about 1:10 p.m. near the top of a ski lift that provides access to an expert area.
At least two medical helicopters were flown to a command post at the scene, KSL reported.
Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 295 Location: Golden, CO
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:09 pm Post subject:
This from AP wire:
PARK CITY, Utah - An avalanche outside a Utah ski resort Friday trapped at least one backcountry skier, authorities said.
Volunteers and rescue dogs were seen fanning out over the area. An emergency helicopter was dispatched from Salt Lake City, about 20 miles away, with a report of possible victims, said LDS Hospital spokesman Jess Gomez.
A series of storms lasting over two weeks dropped 6-8 feet of wet, heavy snow on the mountains, setting up prime avalanche conditions.
The Utah Avalanche Center warned of considerable avalanche danger Friday, which means human-triggered avalanches were probable.
"We're recommending people avoid being on or underneath any steep slopes," said Bruce Tremper, director of the center.
Tremper said the slide occurred just outside The Canyons resort in Park City. It is an out-of-bounds area next to The Canyons, but the resort "can't close it off. It would be like trying to close a city park," Tremper said.
The sheriff scheduled a news conference to discuss the avalanche.
Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3558 Location: on the wings of a pig
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:27 pm Post subject:
took my Level 2 last February at The Canyons with Jake Hutchinson - Canyons Patrol Director and some of his crew. We looked a lot at that very slope.
good luck Jake!
edited to add--> as someone who could be in the same position the rescuers are in right now, I'm not sure I'd want a heli flying overhead filming me try to perform a rescue. Anyone else get a queasy feeling watching that? It's scaring me a bit. I feel bad for all of the people on the ground... _________________ Ad astra per alia porci
Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3558 Location: on the wings of a pig
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:26 pm Post subject:
Canyons does a good job of educating backcountry users about avalanche hazards outside of the ski area. To access the terrain that in question, you have to go through this gate.
Also, The Canyons opened a transciever training facility this year. From the Canyons website...
December 15, 2004
The Canyons Resort Launches Free Avalanche Rescue Training Center
Now the public can practice avalanche rescue techniques at The Canyons that may save lives.
Park City, UT - On Thursday, December 16th, The Canyons Resort will open one of the first ever fully automated avalanche rescue training facilities in North America. The facility is free to the public and simulates single and multiple buried avalanche victims. Those who use the center can select the number of "victims" they wish to locate with a beacon during the practice session, and then receive computer-generated feedback once their session is complete.
"This is a great opportunity for the community to practice and perfect their avalanche beacon skills," said Jake Hutchinson, Ski Patrol Director at The Canyons Resort. "It will be an asset in the Park City area for many years to come, and will open up a number of opportunities for beacon and rescue skills clinics here," he added.
The facility will be located at the base of The Canyons Resort, near the Sunrise Lift, and above Sundial Lodge. Never before has an organization offered free beacon training to the public. The location for the center is provided by The Canyons and the funding comes from Wasatch Backcountry Rescue (WBR).
Each training center costs roughly 10-thousand dollars. WBR is a volunteer organization made up of snow safety professionals and their avalanche rescue dogs from eight Utah resorts, UDOT, Park City Powdercats, the Utah Olympic Park and Wasatch Powderbird Guides working with Salt Lake, Utah and Summit county sheriff's offices. Wasatch Backcountry Rescue member resorts include The Canyons, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, Park City, Deer Valley and Snowbasin.
SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT
Members of the media are invited to The Canyons this Thursday, December 18th at 10am to witness the opening of The Canyons Rescue Training Center. WBR professionals will be available for interviews, as will members of The Canyons Ski Patrol. Several WBR members will be on site with their avalanche dogs for additional training as well.
This Saturday, December 18th, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue will hold its annual fundraiser at Club Suede in Park City. Doors open for the event at 7pm. _________________ Ad astra per alia porci
I certainly hope this is not as bad as it could be. Been wearing my beacon inbounds lately. _________________ "It's turns! 'Course it's worth the hike" -MrP
PARK CITY, Utah - A major avalanche crashed down a mountain near a ski slope abutting the popular Canyons resort Friday, killing at least one person, the Utah Avalanche Center said. Rescue teams and dogs were searching for other missing skiers who were in an area off-limits to them. _________________ Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog and you will do just fine.
MOM
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