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The Real Deal
Avalanches really do happen! Do you know the score??
As you become more adept however and your skill level or riding experience increases those few turns off the side start to get a little further away from the piste. Now you mates are getting into it too and before to long the terrain risk is changing but your state of mind is not!
Most people think that avalanches only happen to those that are riding in deep out of bound locations or those riding a lot of off piste all the time.
For sure the more time you spend off piste the more likely you are to get caught out, but then again those that ride predominantly for the backcountry terrain are also probably those that are more aware and more prepared for the dangers involved in this type of riding.
I’ve been snowboarding now for over 20 years, most of these professionally and pretty much full time. In the past 10 years I’ve specialised in riding the Backcountry of the high mountains, predominantly here in Chamonix, but at times all around the world.
For the life I lead and the riding I do the risks are considerably high. I’m very aware of the dangers posed by the high mountain environment and very specific with my decision making. I’d like to think that I know what I’m doing and I feel responsible in my actions.
In the past 10 years, whilst logging up probably somewhere in the region of a 100 Backcountry freeride days per season I have been avalanched twice.
One of these occasions, I was dumped on by a skier who had followed my tracks and who had ridden on to a big slope that I had avoided for obvious reasons. Fortunately for me I saw it coming, duck dived behind a small rock and it went right over my head.
The 2nd, which, I rode out of, I suspected was going to happen and had an escape route already planned. I had weighed up the risks and took a chance knowing I could get out of there if the slope was to slide.
Most of the time when I’m riding in the Backcountry I’m working as a guide (although not on the 2 avalanche occasions mentioned). Not only are my decisions made for my safety but also for the safety of the group that I’m riding with.
I’d like to think that although I’m out there amongst the elements most of the time, I’m pretty switched on to it and whilst I never feel that I have the upper hand over the mountain I do feel that I am in control of my decisions and that I make the right decision at the right time the majority of the time.
So last season, the mountains decided to throw it’s hand and show me who’s the boss.
Friday afternoon, blue bird day, level 2/3 avalanche risk, finishing an amazing Backcountry freeride week with strong group of experienced riders, riding a popular route from the Grand Montets top lift in Chamonix down towards the Mer du glace on a descent called the Pas du Chevre. A popular route that was already well tracked, terrain angle around 30 degrees.
We’ve just descended an extreme couloir descent called the Dru couloir (or the lapin). I’ve been working hard, keeping the group together, keeping it safe on steep terrain. We’ve abseiled a rock drop, negotiated the steeps and cruised fresh powder down the crevasse ridden Nant Blanc glacier.
We reach the regular route for the Pas du Chevre and follow the well tracked traverse line towards the moraine field where, although I can see it is well tracked already, I know the riding is very good.
We are stopped by a small up hill section and climb with our boards off, over a big boulder, to get to the slope the other side where we can carry on following the traverse track.
It’s an easy angled slope, I’ve not seen any evidence of any danger, there are tracks everywhere so I tell the guys to stop and get there boards on.
I’m feeling more relaxed now, the terrain is familiar and the hard guiding is over. We stand in our small group starting to get ready having a laugh at each other’s expense. There are other groups around and we have most of the day left, we’re in no rush here and are all enjoying the moment.
We’re just about to strap in when suddenly the slope whumps (as a week layer deep in the snow pack settles). I’m immediately at attention looking to see if the slopes on the move and telling the guys what’s going on. It’s easy angled and doesn’t move and I’m about to say its ok when one of the guys, who’s looking up the slope suddenly shouts ‘it’s coming’ and we all turn to see a huge wave of snow bearing down on us at great speed from high above.
I’m shouting ‘get out of here’ but we’re still on foot and we’re not getting out of this one. I dive on my board lying down to try to get to the side as much as possible with a couple of the guys doing the same but I’m also looking up the hill and I know straight away there’s no escape. I’m now off my board shouting to everyone to get ready. Impact is imminent, I’ve done it once before and it worked, it’s worth a try so I duck dive under the wave as it hits.
At the last moment however, I hesitate, the wave is so big, I’m thinking is this a good idea? Next thing, Bang and I’m upside down, tumbling, fighting at the mercy of the mountain. I’m thrown to the surface where I spot one of the guys flying by and grab a hold of him pushing him upwards towards the surface as I’m dragged back into the turmoil. If I can keep him on top and keep hold of him the 2 of us might just get out of this alive. I’m fighting like mad, pushing out when my feet touch down for a second and I push back against the snow and suddenly we’re out!
I’m immediately looking for the others, we’re a group of 6, Doug who I’m holding on to is ok and another isn’t too far away and is also on his feet on top of the debris, ok but looking a bit shaken.
The wave of snow is still charging on down the mountain though and the others are nowhere to be seen.
It’s the real deal! I’ve practiced this a thousand times but never before have I been here in this situation, the clock has started ticking and we’ve 15 minutes max and 3 people to find….
My pulse is racing but it’s time to stay calm. I already have my transceiver in my hand and have instructed the other 2 to get their shovels and probes out of their packs.
The snow has barely settled and I’m already on my way. My training is kicking in and I’m moving on automatic, checking safety, assessing the risks organizing the search, listening for signals and looking for signs.
Suddenly one of the missing guys sits up and I’m shouting to him to see if he can see anyone else. 2 to find 13 minutes left….
The story has a happy ending, all the guys managed to get themselves out before I got to them and baring a few minor injuries and a couple of heli trips for check ups all where ok.
For me it was my first ‘real deal’ where I’d had to draw my transceiver in earnest and although it was a bad experience to go through, it was good to know that I could work under pressure and that all my training had paid off.
The avalanche was deemed, by the PGHM (Police Gendarme de Haute Montagne) nobody’s fault, an act of nature that could not have been forseen but for me it was a scary example of the powerful forces of nature at work, the mountains teaching me a hard fought lesson.
Whilst pre this experience, given the same situation, I’d probably have made exactly the same decisions that I made that day, today I’m another step towards the side of caution and I hope, that little bit more in tune to the mountain environment around me.
The whole experience really drummed home the importance of multiple burial transceiver training (something that we do on all my Backcountry courses). It made me think about how we structure this training on my courses and how effective this training needs to be.
It made me think about the snowboarders riding out there without a care in the world, no kit, no knowledge, no worries and I remember when I used to feel and do just that.
It made me think about all those snowboarders out there that have their transceivers on, maybe having played about with them a bit in the back garden or the car park of the resort and it makes me wonder if they’d know how to use them properly? Properly, you Know like if they really needed to use them for the Real Deal?
Hopefully it’ll make you think about this too! Carrying the kit is great, a real step in the right direction, the bare minimum. But also make sure you know how to use it because the ‘real deal’ is not the time to work it out, take it from one who now knows!