Denis Bogan


> I looked at that picture and the next question is; what if you are stupid
> enough or unlucky enough to be where those guys are.  What's your best
> course of action from here?  I am going to guess that it's safest to ski
> down the slide path.  But when.  How long should you wait?

Ski the slide path- immediately would be the right time.  The pressure has
been relieved from the immediate path, the weight of the snow that moved is
huge compared to that of the skier, even if the pressure per square foot is
much higher under the skier.  Skiing anything but the slide path is
suicidal, as is waiting around for the slablets that remained above you to
release.

> Slides generate heating by friction so right after it stops
> the snow will be wet.

Not exactly wet, but somewhat unconsolitdated- but as soon as it stops it's
safe to ski over it. The braking forces that halted the slide far exceed
what a skier will apply to it, even if it's not well bonded.

> I think what I would do is wait 5-10 minutes
> then survival ski, sidestep, whatever it takes, down the slide path.  and
> then get the hell out of there.

Don't wait- time is of the essence- while you're staring down at the rubble
pile you could have a chunk of slab above you creaking quietly getting ready
to follow. You want to be well out of it's path.

dana

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