Pacific NW/AK/BC Western Gathering 2017 - Whistler Blackcomb

[Tricia]

For those of us who skied Spanky's in low visibility there is this news from Snowbrains.
Skier Triggers Inbounds avalanche and Gets Thrown off 50 Ft cliff - Whistler - Spanky's

I feel like there were a few of us who only saw the cliffs a split second before we got to them.
@markojp @mdf @Philpug @KingGrump (and more)

 

[KevinF]

For those of us who skied Spanky's in low visibility there is this news from Snowbrains.
Skier Triggers Inbounds avalanche and Gets Thrown off 50 Ft cliff - Whistler - Spanky's

I feel like there were a few of us who only saw the cliffs a split second before we got to them.
@markojp @mdf @Philpug @KingGrump (and more)

Tony Crocker, April, and I went into Spanky's and were skiing along the edge of a cliff for a bit. It was a bit un-nerving as the fall-line was edging towards the cliff in low-vis. I would have loved to have skied Spanky's (and a great many other things) when you could see what you were doing.

 

[Philpug]

Tony Crocker, April, and I went into Spanky's and were skiing along the edge of a cliff for a bit. It was a bit un-nerving as the fall-line was edging towards the cliff in low-vis. I would have loved to have skied Spanky's (and a great many other things) when you could see what you were doing.

I was lucky going down Whistler Bowl, flat light, I went over a cliff, thank goodness it was only about 8-10'..not worse.

 

[Tony S]

For those of us who skied Spanky's in low visibility there is this news from Snowbrains.
Skier Triggers Inbounds avalanche and Gets Thrown off 50 Ft cliff - Whistler - Spanky's

I feel like there were a few of us who only saw the cliffs a split second before we got to them.
@markojp @mdf @Philpug @KingGrump (and more)

Hmm. Sobering, for sure. Do we think the roaring sound was an airbag inflating, or just the rush of wind as she fell? Also wondering what her intended line was as she approached the lip of the cliff. Was there a clear route to skier left that she was trying to move toward, before she got pulled right over the cliff?

 

[markojp]

I never felt exposed where we were on Spanky's, but the top 1/3 certainly was on the milky side of things and there was plenty of skier compaction. She skied over a bit of wind loaded stuff on her traverse... always be very careful and suspicious of untracked snow on the wind loaded side of things even if it's in a controlled area.

 

[KingGrump]

On low vis days, I like to ski terrains with "gully" like features. That means both sides goes up and I am in the trough. It forces me to fall back down into my intended line without much effort.
Can't say that when I am on the "crown" type terrain.

The line we took thru Garnet and Diamond that day was the "gully" type with a few large exposed rocks for contrast.

 

[Rainbow Jenny]

Tony Crocker, April, and I went into Spanky's and were skiing along the edge of a cliff for a bit. It was a bit un-nerving as the fall-line was edging towards the cliff in low-vis. I would have loved to have skied Spanky's (and a great many other things) when you could see what you were doing.

Diamond Bowl it was, on Wednesday. Kara, Meg, and I saw the boarders zip past your line and followed theirs instead. Relieved all made it down unscathed.

 

[SkiNurse]

I was lucky going down Whistler Bowl, flat light, I went over a cliff, thank goodness it was only about 8-10'..not worse.

Eek! I'm glad you're ok.

 

[Tony S]

Eek! I'm glad you're ok.

Well, let's not overstate things here.

 

[Tricia]

Eek! I'm glad you're ok.

I was lucky going down Whistler Bowl, flat light, I went over a cliff, thank goodness it was only about 8-10'..not worse.

I saw it from my vantage point and yelled to him but he didn't hear me.
@Jim Kenney was just above us, taking pictures.

 

[Tony S]

I saw it from my vantage point and yelled to him but he didn't hear me.

That must have been horrible. Assume you were able to determine quickly that he was okay.

 

[Tricia]

That must have been horrible. Assume you were able to determine quickly that he was okay.

I wasn't scared that he couldn't do it, but I wanted to warn him so that it would be on purpose. Turns out he was surprised but okay, so all is well.

 

[Tricia]

I never felt exposed where we were on Spanky's, but the top 1/3 certainly was on the milky side of things and there was plenty of skier compaction. She skied over a bit of wind loaded stuff on her traverse... always be very careful and suspicious of untracked snow on the wind loaded side of things even if it's in a controlled area.

I had a bit of a vertigo moment when I was doing the short hike, which caused some visibility/orientation issues in the upper part of Spanky's.
Fortunately I had @mdf in front of me so I followed him. If he went over a cliff, that was a sign that I shouldn't go there.

 

[cantunamunch]

I had more than a little bit of a vertigo moment after the flight back. Hello airport norovirus!

 

[Rainbow Jenny]

Friday at Mt Baker, sticky snow


@Posaune&Mrs, @NearNyquest, @noncrazycanuck


This sign is especially for @MDSkier
P

 

[James]

@Posaune&Mrs, @NearNyquest, @noncrazycanuck

Caught in the wild!. Good thing you turned the spotlight off for the photo. Makes them look weird.

 

[Rainbow Jenny]

Wednesday morning Tony Crocker guided Liz, Jilly, Toni, Meg, @KevinF, @DanoT, April, @Pumba, and me. This is... Lakeside Bowl.


With @Pumba and Meg, taking it easy after morning of Diamond at Spanky's


@KingGrump always so generous about taking the time to hang out with intermediate newcomers, here with Meg, my ultra-runner friend back home.


Alison/Fosphenytoin, she smiled!


Thursday, thanks to @Lady_Salina and Ron for an adrenaline filled day. @MDSkier, Mrs @KingGrump, @Unpiste, and @mdf a little further behind from Peak to Creek through Millionaire Ridge.


Cleared the trees

 

[Tricia]

@Rainbow Jenny Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing.
Also, thanks for sharing your Dakotas. I fell in love with them all over again!

 

[Rainbow Jenny]

@Rainbow Jenny Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing.
Also, thanks for sharing your Dakotas. I fell in love with them all over again!

You're most welcome! Although the Dakotas went MIA Tuesday after lunch despite the search and rescue mission from @SKI-3PO, @JohnL, @Unpiste, Mrs @KingGrump, @MDSkier, and @NearNyquist, so glad they re-appeared after much patience, hot Lipton tea, and..

.

 

[Jilly]

Wednesday morning Tony Crocker guided Liz, Jilly, Toni, Meg, @KevinF, @DanoT, April, @Pumba, and me. This is... Lakeside Bowl.
View attachment 21048

Ummm...I was with Lady Salina and older Boot on Wednesday. That was the day I realized that my Temptations were having AFD problems. We did the Blackcomb glacier that morning. Arthur's Choice etc.