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5 Die In Snowboarding Avalanche @ Loveland Pass

Greg D · · Here · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 883
EricSchmidt wrote:"They could have thought they were in a safe zone on the edge of the path but the slide was exceptionally large = end result. Backcountry travel involves an amount of risk that cannot be mitigated, this is a tragic example. And for the mmQBs in the room, you don't know where they were, what their spacing was, their knowledge of the slope, etc. it's incredibly selfish and premature to say the groups experience was not used 'properly' that afternoon, whatever that means.." Again Paul-B read this guys^ comments as well....
Clearly, you should not be commenting on this thread. Please delete your posts and move on.
EricSchmidt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 0
K Weber wrote: Well, do enlighten us ERIC. How do avalanches kill people then?
I was not saying avalanche deaths arent due to asphyxiation and trauma, I was saying your statement that "gear helps very little" is incorrect.
Ben Brotelho · · Albany, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 520

EricSchmidt: take the debate elsewhere. If you're not going to be respectful to the 5 snowboarders who just died, then please don't say anything at all.

EricSchmidt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 0

Meh, no thanks ben!

I think I am being a lot more respectful than Paul who is suggesting they died because they were high and uneducated.

Sir Wanksalot · · County Jail · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 10
EricSchmidt wrote:Meh, no thanks ben! I think I am being a lot more respectful than Paul who is suggesting they died because they were high and uneducated.
Dude, you need to check yourself. Your being disrespectful because people died, and you're being a pretentious jerk. I don't expect you to understand, but take it easy and start a thread bashing avalanche training and BD et al for inventing shit to keep you "safe" in avalanche terrain.

My thoughts go out to all the victims loved ones. Snow science is complicated, and one thing is for sure, when dealing with avalanche terrain, your really at the mercy of mama Earth. These guys had experience, took a risk, and paid for it big time. Very sad series of events indeed.
coppolillo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 70
Ben Brotelho wrote:EricSchmidt: take the debate elsewhere. If you're not going to be respectful to the 5 snowboarders who just died, then please don't say anything at all.
+1
Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

The online Post article has put up some better information this morning about the circumstances of the surviving party.

There will be a multi-agency debrief this week to try and figure out what happened leading up to and throughout the incident. I would check with the CAIC for anything more pertinent as time passes.

Condolences are passed along, this has hit all the professionals very hard.

Nick Stayner · · Wymont Kingdom · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 2,315

Yet another reason mountainproject folks should stick to talking about climbing. Someone please lock this thread- it's repulsive.

My thoughts are with all of those involved with the events over the weekend.

EricSchmidt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 0
Sir Wanksalot wrote: start a thread bashing avalanche training and BD et al for inventing shit to keep you "safe" in avalanche terrain.
Dude can you read? At all?

That is the exact OPPOSITE of what I am saying. I think you have me confused with the other guy who is bashing that stuff. Learn to read before commenting next time.
coppolillo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 70

Digging the hole...deeper.......deeper..........and deeper still.

Tony T · · Denver, CO · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 45

Wow, way to show respect to those who have passed.

The people criticizing this group for going out are either illiterate or have no concept of what professional/expert backcountry riders means. Every single one of the people in this group was an expert. No, seriously, experts. As in, taught avalanche safety classes, had decades of on the snow experience between all of them, and had an overwhelming amount of snowsense and ability. No, CAIC's forecast that day was not blinking red, and was the same orange it is for most of the winter when backcountry riders get out.

All of the victims had family and friends who cared a lot about them, some of which are members on this stupid site. So if you don't want to appear insensitive, shut the fuck up about the tired backcountry avalanche debates, and just show some fucking respect for the people that were expecting to see supportive outpourings and instead ruined their day by finding this post inundated in inane drivel.

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

+1 Tony!

EricSchmidt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 0
Tony T. wrote:Wow, way to show respect to those who have passed. The people criticizing this group for going out are either illiterate or have no concept of what professional/expert backcountry riders means. Every single one of the people in this group was an expert. No, seriously, experts. As in, taught avalanche safety classes, had decades of on the snow experience between all of them, and had an overwhelming amount of snowsense and ability. No, CAIC's forecast that day was not blinking red, and was the same orange it is for most of the winter when backcountry riders get out. All of the victims had family and friends who cared a lot about them, some of which are members on this stupid site. So if you don't want to appear insensitive, shut the fuck up about the tired backcountry avalanche debates, and just show some fucking respect for the people that were expecting to see supportive outpourings and instead ruined their day by finding this post inundated in inane drivel.
Thanks. Hopefully Paul B and coppopillo figure this out finally...
Ben Brotelho · · Albany, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 520
Tony T. wrote:Wow, way to show respect to those who have passed. The people criticizing this group for going out are either illiterate or have no concept of what professional/expert backcountry riders means. Every single one of the people in this group was an expert. No, seriously, experts. As in, taught avalanche safety classes, had decades of on the snow experience between all of them, and had an overwhelming amount of snowsense and ability. No, CAIC's forecast that day was not blinking red, and was the same orange it is for most of the winter when backcountry riders get out. All of the victims had family and friends who cared a lot about them, some of which are members on this stupid site. So if you don't want to appear insensitive, shut the fuck up about the tired backcountry avalanche debates, and just show some fucking respect for the people that were expecting to see supportive outpourings and instead ruined their day by finding this post inundated in inane drivel.
Amen.
coppolillo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 70
Tony T. wrote:show some fucking respect for the people that were expecting to see supportive outpourings and instead ruined their day by finding this post inundated in inane drivel.
Tom-onator · · trollfreesociety · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 790

Wow.
I really am amazed at the outpoor of true sentiment from Our Community.
It is immeasurably unfortunate that there are those among us that must continue to spew vile statements directed to those that lost their lives persueing their passion.
They may have been climbers, or not. Many among us dream beyond the vertical realm and enjoy tasting a different slice of life.
We are here on this planet for such a brief time.
Live life to the fullest.
My sincere condolences to the Families and Friends.

ErikaNW · · Golden, CO · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 410
Cor wrote:+1 Tony!
+1000
Clifton Santiago · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 0

Christopher Peters, 32, of Lakewood; Ryan Novack, 33, of Boulder; Ian Lanphere, 36, of Crested Butte, Rick Gaukel, 33, of Estes Park, and Joe Timlin, 32, of Gypsum.

They were experts in their field, mentors of their passion, and an example that you can work for fun. They leave a legacy of inspired individuals motivated to spread their stoke, who found a way to be what they do.

RIP

George Bell · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 5,050

Very sad, my condolences to all families involved.

A few names have been corrected in the official news: Ryan Novak and Ian Lamphere (both from Crested Butte).

Rick Gaukel seems to have a mp account.

justin dubois · · Estes Park · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 525

man, there really are some tasteless assholes who feel compelled to slag these men who died.
not really the place to measure our p.p.'s gentlemen....

I knew, and skied with Rick on occasion, and I can say he was a professional to the letter.

He will be missed here in Estes for sure.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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