Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Oregon avalanche forecaster triggers avalanche while skiing, dies
Oregon Live / The Oregonian / Associated Press ^ | March 12, 2024 | Anon

Posted on 03/31/2024 8:31:51 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom

Edited on 03/31/2024 9:15:08 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

An avalanche forecaster died in a snowslide he triggered while skiing in eastern Oregon last week, officials said.

Nick Burks, 37, and a friend — both experienced skiers and carrying avalanche air bags and beacons — were backcountry skiing the chute on Gunsight Mountain on Wednesday, near Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.


(Excerpt) Read more at oregonlive.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Oregon
KEYWORDS: avalanche; oregon; ski
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last
To: Iceclimber58

https://www.futurity.org/risk-taking-brain-2511712-2/


21 posted on 03/31/2024 9:38:28 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

Sometimes irony can be mighty ironic.


22 posted on 03/31/2024 9:38:30 AM PDT by Clay Moore (My pistol identifies as a cordless hole punch. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lee martell

Yes, avalanches are often triggered on purpose as preventative measures. It sounds like he was out recreational skiing or maybe scouting for avalanche danger areas.


23 posted on 03/31/2024 9:44:12 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward SnowdenA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Iceclimber58
“This is what they use to find both your bodies.”

Gotta love wry humor, huh?

24 posted on 03/31/2024 9:45:18 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward SnowdenA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Ann Archy

I think they mean he triggered it accidentally by skiing. But avalanche professionals frequently trigger them intentionally. Far better to get the risky snow into avalanche before the ski resort opens and it endangers people. There’s a movie about the avalanche at Squaw Valley in the 90s showing the growing avalanche danger, avalanche patrols at work, and how eventually many cornices let go at once killing several people.


25 posted on 03/31/2024 9:48:16 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward SnowdenA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

AP takes another opportunity to blame on climate change.


26 posted on 03/31/2024 9:51:59 AM PDT by suijuris (Once a man learns to see he finds himself alone in the world with nothing but folly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: suijuris

Yes. Surprisingly, they didn’t follow that line up with more of the same. But they diverted to skiing becoming more popular.

Maybe skiing is more popular because the bitterly frigid winters are a thing of the past, i.e., becoming more popular because of climate change. They could have gone for a two-fer there.


27 posted on 03/31/2024 9:53:27 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward SnowdenA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

Bummer. That’s dangerous work.

Where I grew up they had an old howitzer to blast the ski mountain after a big storm to clear avalanche hazards.. if that wasn’t available, ski patrol guys like this would go to the top of the mountain and throw grenades on the slopes.


28 posted on 03/31/2024 10:17:25 AM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

Notice they had to add their obligatory stab at blaming Climate Change, while adding the extra people in the backcountry.

Fact is, the avalanche problem is no different today than it was 40 years ago.

The problem is more people skiing and snowboarding there they never used to. Plus these newcomers take more risks than in the old days. Just look at the videos they put on Youtube about the extreme risks they take.

Yet, it’s not them, but Climate Change.

Yet we are to believe it’s because to climate change.


29 posted on 03/31/2024 11:39:13 AM PDT by OneVike ( Just another Christian waiting to go home)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

Sometimes it’s not enough is right. I did my avalanche rescue course in the infantry, and basically if you’re caught in one it’s game over. Even if you test the snow pack, things can happen.


30 posted on 03/31/2024 1:25:23 PM PDT by Bulwyf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: lee martell

We use arty in the rockies in AB and BC.


31 posted on 03/31/2024 1:26:08 PM PDT by Bulwyf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom
He was...an avalanche expert...

Evidence to the contrary.

32 posted on 03/31/2024 2:43:07 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: logi_cal869

“Expert” does not mean infallible.


33 posted on 03/31/2024 3:43:53 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward SnowdenA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

Died doing what he loved?
Damn shame.


34 posted on 03/31/2024 4:03:44 PM PDT by Honest Nigerian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Flycatcher

When anyone I know (of the Socialist Democrat Brainwashed BENT) starts going on about ‘Mother Erf’ I tell them I blame my Bunion and Hammer Toe on Climate Change.

Makes about as much sense as any of their ‘arguments.’ ;)


35 posted on 03/31/2024 7:49:39 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson