Snowboarder missing at Berthoud - Page 2 - Snowboarding Forum

turbospartan · 01-19-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killclimbz

The only thing I know of that is called the Fingers is the High Trail Cliffs. The tree runs are High Trail Trees, Shop Chutes, Sentinel, and North Chute. All of which have avy danger, but not really any towards the bottom of the trails. I still believe they are looking around the apron, but this is all media reports so who knows. With the amount of snow that came down, I could see a person on a snowboard getting stuck there overnight, but certainly not two nights.

As far as safe runs go. Hoop Creek, Telegraph (the very bottom of that is threatened by slides from Floral Park), Hells Half Acre, Current Creek 90's area, the Meadows, and Pumphouse are all relatively safe bets.

Vibes to the lost rider... its not looking good but hopefully they find him.

Don't want to take away from the original intent of this thread, but I had a question:

Kill - is there a map or anything for these backcountry spots that lays all of these "runs" out, or do you just gain this knowledge over time? I mean, does everyone call all of these "runs" the same thing and it gets out by word of mouth, or how is it documented?

**killclimbz** · 01-19-2011, 09:25 AM

Check out "Backcountry Skiing Berthoud Pass" by Jordan Lipp. I believe it's out of print but you can find used copies here and there. It might still be available at REI if there is still a print copy going around. It basically covers the old ski area and Current Creek.

Doug Scott also does Topo maps with known avalanche paths at Berthoud overlayed on it. Most of these paths are also ski runs.

A lot of the other drainages are learned by getting out with locals or exploring on your own. There are several runs in 2nd, 1st, and 0 creek that I have no idea what their names are.

**killclimbz** · 01-19-2011, 01:31 PM

Just heard from my wife that search and rescue found his body. He had gotten buried by a slide. RIP Jeff.

**killclimbz** · 01-19-2011, 01:33 PM

Slightly more info here.

Missing Snowboarder Found Dead On Berthoud Pass - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

I am sure CAIC will have a preliminary report up soon.

Zee · 01-19-2011, 01:40 PM

This really sucks, what a tragic weekend overall.

linvillegorge · 01-19-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killclimbz

Just heard from my wife that search and rescue found his body. He had gotten buried by a slide. RIP Jeff.

Damn it. That sucks, but at this point it was pretty much expected.

RIP bro.

Did it ever surface if they had gear and training? I'm guessing no. His buddy lapped it again twice, but no mention of a beacon search.

**killclimbz** · 01-19-2011, 02:36 PM

No avy gear. If he had of been wearing a beacon, they would have found him Monday. No news on the dog yet either. I am thinking the pooch is somewhere along the seven mile trail. I might be up there tomorrow so I think I might take a run down that drainage and see if we can find the poor guy.

bravo_castle · 01-19-2011, 05:07 PM

A bad situation, at its worst, truly nightmare-like scenario.

How long would you keep searching for your buddy (given the circumstances)?
No avi gear ...

Hopefully his dog will be found.

jeri534 · 01-19-2011, 11:00 PM

so sad, RIP.

Is it my or has there been a shit ton of deaths already this season in resorts and the backcountry?

Stay safe out there

**killclimbz** · 01-20-2011, 08:59 AM

Unfortunately I heard this morning that the dog was also buried and killed.

My experience with the pooches in the backcountry is that they often get flushed out and not buried, but obviously that is not 100% of the time. Lighter weight, the constant swimming motion, generally keeps them on top. Riding with a dog, also makes me extra conservative when out there. I don't want to lose my best friend and putting a beacon on him is not an option. There are lines where I make my partners hold onto Cody while I drop. Then after I give the all clear they send him down. If I don't trigger a slope, it's not likely a little 50lb dog is going too. Still, that does freak me out a bit. Sound decision making skills are pretty much required if you want to ride with you dog in the bc. Unfortunately there wasn't much of this in this situation. 26 is too young to die and there are a bunch of people hurting now that he is gone. I do remember seeing Jeff on the pass here and there.

01-19-2011, 01:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
Zee -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,423	This really sucks, what a tragic weekend overall. __________________ The Never Summer SL-R is the best all mountain board I have been on... Ever. Buy it... Ride it... Love it...

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01-19-2011, 09:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,174	Check out "Backcountry Skiing Berthoud Pass" by Jordan Lipp. I believe it's out of print but you can find used copies here and there. It might still be available at REI if there is still a print copy going around. It basically covers the old ski area and Current Creek. Doug Scott also does Topo maps with known avalanche paths at Berthoud overlayed on it. Most of these paths are also ski runs. A lot of the other drainages are learned by getting out with locals or exploring on your own. There are several runs in 2nd, 1st, and 0 creek that I have no idea what their names are.

01-19-2011, 01:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,174	Just heard from my wife that search and rescue found his body. He had gotten buried by a slide. RIP Jeff.

01-19-2011, 01:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,174	Slightly more info here. Missing Snowboarder Found Dead On Berthoud Pass - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver I am sure CAIC will have a preliminary report up soon.

01-19-2011, 02:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,174	No avy gear. If he had of been wearing a beacon, they would have found him Monday. No news on the dog yet either. I am thinking the pooch is somewhere along the seven mile trail. I might be up there tomorrow so I think I might take a run down that drainage and see if we can find the poor guy.

01-19-2011, 05:07 PM	#18 (permalink)
bravo_castle -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 365	A bad situation, at its worst, truly nightmare-like scenario. How long would you keep searching for your buddy (given the circumstances)? No avi gear ... Hopefully his dog will be found.

01-19-2011, 11:00 PM	#19 (permalink)
jeri534 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 393	so sad, RIP. Is it my or has there been a shit ton of deaths already this season in resorts and the backcountry? Stay safe out there

01-20-2011, 08:59 AM	#20 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,174	Unfortunately I heard this morning that the dog was also buried and killed. My experience with the pooches in the backcountry is that they often get flushed out and not buried, but obviously that is not 100% of the time. Lighter weight, the constant swimming motion, generally keeps them on top. Riding with a dog, also makes me extra conservative when out there. I don't want to lose my best friend and putting a beacon on him is not an option. There are lines where I make my partners hold onto Cody while I drop. Then after I give the all clear they send him down. If I don't trigger a slope, it's not likely a little 50lb dog is going too. Still, that does freak me out a bit. Sound decision making skills are pretty much required if you want to ride with you dog in the bc. Unfortunately there wasn't much of this in this situation. 26 is too young to die and there are a bunch of people hurting now that he is gone. I do remember seeing Jeff on the pass here and there.