Posted on 02/20/2005 9:44:53 AM PST by Mr. Mojo
MONA, Utah - A hiker fell about 1,000 feet down a mountain side, riding an avalanche feet-first — and suffered only minor injuries. "Extremely lucky," said Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme.
Mark Thomas and two companions were hiking on a ridge near Mount Nebo on Saturday when snow gave way beneath them, they told police.
His friends did not fall, but Thomas slid about 1,000 feet, triggering an avalanche, Orme said.
Thomas, 21, of Salt Lake City, told police that he rode the cascading snow feet-first, and came to a stop partially buried in a canyon.
His friends went for help, but while they were gone Thomas dug himself out of the snow. He set out walking out of the canyon and met rescuers on their way up the mountain.
Thomas had a minor back injury and frostbitten feet, police said.
As a member of a search and rescue team I am always stunned why people think they can just go into the mountains in deadly conditions with the thought that it will never happen to them. The ones we find alive seemed shocked it happened to them.
Surf's up!!!
Yep. I was skiing in Utah last week and was amazed at how many skiers ignored common sense and went into avalanche warning areas. I saw a number of avalanches the morning after 18 inches of snow, some triggered by skiers.
I hike solo a lot, and have turned around many a time when the snow looked ugly. One time, heading up to climb The Brothers (Olympic Mountains), I stopped because of a particularly nasty mess just hanging there, waiting to fall. Didn't even have to dig into it to check it. It was so obvious that I didn't even want to get close to it.
Snow and weather conditions were perfect for a huge amount of snow to drop across the trail. According to the log book, several people climbed it that weekend. It didn't drop, but... Not this guy. I want to live.
Dude, where's my bong?
Thank you for putting your life on the line to save the lives of some of these illiterate morons...do they get a bill from you guys...I just can't muster up a whole lot of sympathy for people that ignore posted warnings...
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.