RIP Jamie Pierre
- Thread starter Patrick
- Start date
Here's more detail:
http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2011/1 ... avalanche/
http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2011/1 ... avalanche/
rfarren
New member
It's amazing the number of big time skiers that have passed in the pass ten years. I guess that's a testament to the dangers. I just don't get how a skier as seasoned as Jamie Pierre could go out there without avy gear, and not even realize that the avy conditions were so perilous.
q
Member
Missoulian Report
Much more info there and if true he should have spent a higher proportion of his time listening to avi reports than god.
Much more info there and if true he should have spent a higher proportion of his time listening to avi reports than god.
Marc_C
Active member
I agree, but it's worthwhile to note that even if he had avi gear, it would have had no effect on the eventual outcome. Of much greater importance is the human factor and ignoring the obvious indicators, including bot the avi advisory and being caught in a smaller slide earlier that day.rfarren":36qj3uix said:
What fascinates me is the whole "powder lust" angle and how it pays no mind to rational thinking. Living where he did and given the schedule of a pro skier, he could have looked forward to dozens of big pow days this season and said, "I've got a wife and kids -- maybe I should give today a pass."
The quote from the Missoula newspaper about God granting him permission to do things like that was pretty unsettling. I'd like to think that the sister was speaking metaphorically, but I bet she wasn't.rfarren":3daly3qr said:
Marc_C
Active member
UAC has issued its report - it is not pretty.
http://utahavalanchecenter.org/accident_gad_valley_11132011
Two key lines:
"While neither had any rescue gear or formal avalanche training, they were both expert skiers and knew the terrain well. They had not consulted the avalanche advisory that morning in which the danger was rated Considerable to High. "
Also:
"While ascending out of the Peruvian Cirque they remotely triggered a large avalanche that covered their tracks that they had just made. It's unclear whether they realized they had triggered this large avalanche."
The photo suggests that a huge portion of the Lower Cirque slid.
http://utahavalanchecenter.org/accident_gad_valley_11132011
Two key lines:
"While neither had any rescue gear or formal avalanche training, they were both expert skiers and knew the terrain well. They had not consulted the avalanche advisory that morning in which the danger was rated Considerable to High. "
Also:
"While ascending out of the Peruvian Cirque they remotely triggered a large avalanche that covered their tracks that they had just made. It's unclear whether they realized they had triggered this large avalanche."
The photo suggests that a huge portion of the Lower Cirque slid.
berkshireskier
Active member
Yea, Mother Nature can be a very cruel mistress and she does not have much concern for the lives of skiers and other back country enthusiasts. And even with avi gear and snowpack knowledge, there is NO guarantee of safety. My guess is that we will see more avi deaths as more and more people ski in areas not avi controlled.rfarren":28o4pjr7 said:
Bobby Danger
New member
very professional, report
Bobby Danger
New member
two day course --- instructed by bruce tremper 14 -15 years ago
Patrick
Well-known member
Bobby Danger":3hl8qlvp said:
Good Bobby, who's next?
I hate second guessing one's decisions (MMQB) based on their perceived notions of the situation. Not defending his actions, but all the comments about his lack of avy knowledge and lack of training is over the top if it's coming from people that haven't had the training themselves. Not judging, just saying.
PS. I also followed a 2 day avy level 1 course back in 2008.
Killclimbz
New member
Patrick":2tfkcacv said:
Level 1 in 2001, did my Level 2 last year with Silverton Avalanche school. I've been riding almost exclusively in the backcountry since back in 01.
I also work with an organization that provides free avalanche training. Friends of Berthoud Pass. Trying to make a difference. It's definitely a junk show at certain areas (Berthoud included), but we've made a big impact in the number of people who carry avalanche gear on Berthoud Pass versus those that don't. Can't get them all to comply, but from a visual stand point it's much better there today than it was in 01.
As far as the mistakes Jamie made, it blew my mind. No formal avalanche training is a broad statement. I know quite a few people who have had no formal training, but know their stuff. After reading everything I am not so sure about Jamie. Maybe he just got powder fever like the rest of the crowd. Seems that there were a lot of warning signs that said he should back off or choose different terrain.
It really sucks, he was fun to watch and the man could ski.