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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
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We learned about this tragic accident last night from friends at dinner who have a family connection to Mr. Burks.
1 posted on 03/31/2024 8:31:51 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: conservative_cyclist; ten18; Twotone; VeryFRank; Clinging Bitterly; Rio; aimhigh; Hieronymus; ...
If you would like more information about what’s happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me. Please send me your name by FReepmail if you want to be on this list.
2 posted on 03/31/2024 8:35:38 AM PDT by Twotone (We have to stop punishing ourselves for considering things that once seemed crazy. - B. Weinstein)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Guess he was buried in his work. Sorry couldn’t resist.


3 posted on 03/31/2024 8:43:51 AM PDT by dblshot
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

That’s very sad. (But also ironic.)


4 posted on 03/31/2024 8:44:15 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Sounds like a great idea, with the best of intentions. What could possibly go wrong?)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

He never saw it coming....


5 posted on 03/31/2024 8:45:26 AM PDT by gundog ( It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: dblshot

Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to dig himself out of it.


6 posted on 03/31/2024 8:45:26 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

The author waited until the seventh paragraph to blame the avalanche on climate change. Guarded restraint, I guess.


7 posted on 03/31/2024 8:46:11 AM PDT by PhiloBedo (You gotta roll with the punches, and get with what's real.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
Confusing headline, but I understand he was part of the "professional avalanche-forecasting community" and was up there as a job to keep others safe from avalanches.

Sad story.

8 posted on 03/31/2024 8:46:45 AM PDT by HonkyTonkMan ( )
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To: 9YearLurker

He was very experienced (years), a good outdoorsman, an avalanche expert, and had all the right gear. But sometimes even all that isn’t enough. Poor guy.


9 posted on 03/31/2024 8:48:23 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward SnowdenA)
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To: HonkyTonkMan

“he was up there as a job to keep others safe from avalanches.”

Exactly right.


10 posted on 03/31/2024 8:48:58 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward SnowdenA)
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To: PhiloBedo
The author waited until the seventh paragraph to blame the avalanche on climate change.

Climate change is also to blame for the LACK of avalanches.

Amazing stuff, that climate change!

11 posted on 03/31/2024 8:51:10 AM PDT by Flycatcher (God speaks to us, through the supernal lightness of birds, in a special type of poetry.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Unfortunate, but at that level of recreational risk, such eventual results are at least somewhat to be expected.


12 posted on 03/31/2024 8:51:33 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

So...are they saying he didn’t see this one coming?


13 posted on 03/31/2024 9:06:55 AM PDT by moovova ("The NEXT election is the most important election of our lifetimes!“ LOL...)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Dynamite is Your Friend here. Or those cannon or howitzer methods used at ski slopes.


14 posted on 03/31/2024 9:12:06 AM PDT by Freedom4US
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Kharma gonna get you no matter what.


15 posted on 03/31/2024 9:13:20 AM PDT by Delta 21 (If anyone is treasonous, it is those who call me such.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Are avalanches occasionally triggered on purpose, as with Controlled Burning that goes on near my area of California?
Is that what was going on? Or was this simply a matter of being on the wrong ski trail at the wrong time?


16 posted on 03/31/2024 9:16:49 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: 9YearLurker

Went on a back country ice climb in Feb. in SW Colorado. Show up early, the owner of guide service was there to give me a refresher on avalanches.
He handed me a shovel, avalanche beacon and harness, and an inreach.
My guide was equipped the same.
He got to part about if my guide is buried and how to use the beacon to find him.
I ask what if we are both buried. He calmly said. “ Well then. This is what they use to find both your bodies.”
Love climbing in the winter in San Juan Mountains.


17 posted on 03/31/2024 9:20:09 AM PDT by Iceclimber58
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To: Iceclimber58

So are you one of those who can’t find satisfaction in less than the artificially created (recreational), dangerous life?


18 posted on 03/31/2024 9:21:36 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: 9YearLurker

I suppose. I have no desire to die an old man lying in bed pissing all over myself.
If I do go that way. I have some great memories while waiting.


19 posted on 03/31/2024 9:31:05 AM PDT by Iceclimber58
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

He TRIGGERED the avalanche??? REALLY?


20 posted on 03/31/2024 9:36:49 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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