Avalanche Skier POV Helmet Cam Burial & Rescue in Haines, Alaska
Jesse posted a link to this video on the AltaCam skiing forum recently, and I just had a chance to watch. It’s about 8 and a half minutes long. With the avalanche occurring in view at skier’s right around 1 minute 17 seconds in. The remaining 6+ minutes of footage is POV of being buried alive in a slide. Incredibly intense and scary to watch, but it’s important that you watch it…the whole thing. Here is a quote from the story included at Vimeo.
The guy in the video was the first one to drop from their group and while not a guide (he was going tail-gunner style), had a lot of Utah and AK backcountry experience. He had a Black Diamond Avalung on, but as you can tell from the video while he’s talking as he’s dropping in, it wasn’t in his mouth to start. He tried to shove it in the instant of starting to get sucked down, but it didn’t stay. It was just off to the corner of his mouth he said, and he definitely got snow / ice build up as you’ll see on the second sweep of the mouth by the guide after they get to him…
Glad to see this turned out ok in the end, but a good reminder to everyone who enjoys the mountains in the winter…
holy moly… that is so scary!
Wow, I think I was holding my breath until minute 6! This is truley powerful!
Sure is. I actually placed the post in the Avalanche Safety category because seems that anyone who watches that video, will think about it next time they are about to drop in with questionable conditions. Spread the word! GM
I couldnt tell if he was laughing or crying…..or both! Intense stuff. Great post.
Wow, I could never imagine being caught in an avalanche and this video was almost too much! It was totally surreal, and yeah I couldn’t tell if he was laughing or crying at one point either. Wow.
Hmmm I could be wrong, and believe it or not occasionally I am
…but I don’t think you heard a laugh