Crossing Avy Chutes

[Trax 2 Treadz]

We rode out of Elkford on Saturday and dropped into the Bull river valley. There are four avy chutes that have to be crossed and we have a set protocol which we follow when we cross to minimize the risk. We could not help but notice on the way to the Bull river valley the third chute or path which actually has two slide paths in it; the west one had slid probably within twenty four hours prior to our passing through.
Anyway the procedure we follow is we all stop, shut the machines down, look and listen and then I cross. Once I cross, I stand watch will every one else crosses one at a time.
On the way out to the Bull river valley while crossing the last chute some guy riding from the west, while I'm standing watch rides around me without any acknowledgement to me. He put not only me, but my wife whom was crossing the chute at the same time at risk.
Then to make matters worse on the way back to the truck at the third chute which had slid, I had crossed and just setup as watch, when a group of riders rides around the remainder our group and then stops in the middle of the chute, I presume to look at the slide. They clear the area to be followed by a second group of riders whom do the same thing. Get a clue guys, this is not a safe practice. If you want to insist on doing stuff like this at least stop and ask what we are doing and then wait until we have a chance to get clear.

[scrapmaster]

totally understand where your coming from seem to have the same problem everytime we cross avalanche alley in allen... look up the hill an theres half a dozen guys above u highmarking the last trip i took there was a guy stuck halfway up with 4!!! more guys who had rode up to help dig him out doesnt make much sense to me especially with the year weve already had

[Mongrol]

Just goes to prove "Stupidity Has No Boundarys". Its time to stop pussyfooting around this problem and confront the idiots with some logic. I, for one, am tired of expressing my condolences unnecessarily. Dead is forever and a family suffers.

[ferniesnow]

Originally Posted by bullitt

We rode out of Elkford on Saturday and dropped into the Bull river valley. There are four avy chutes that have to be crossed and we have a set protocol which we follow when we cross to minimize the risk. We could not help but notice on the way to the Bull river valley the third chute or path which actually has two slide paths in it; the west one had slid probably within twenty four hours prior to our passing through.
Anyway the procedure we follow is we all stop, shut the machines down, look and listen and then I cross. Once I cross, I stand watch will every one else crosses one at a time.
On the way out to the Bull river valley while crossing the last chute some guy riding from the west, while I'm standing watch rides around me without any acknowledgement to me. He put not only me, but my wife whom was crossing the chute at the same time at risk.
Then to make matters worse on the way back to the truck at the third chute which had slid, I had crossed and just setup as watch, when a group of riders rides around the remainder our group and then stops in the middle of the chute, I presume to look at the slide. They clear the area to be followed by a second group of riders whom do the same thing. Get a clue guys, this is not a safe practice. If you want to insist on doing stuff like this at least stop and ask what we are doing and then wait until we have a chance to get clear.

Not enough riders follow the protocol for that trail, period. To add to your realm of knowledge, there are actually 6-8 chutes that may cross the main trail. I'm not counting the little sluffs that occur in the canyon but the ones that can bury a person and a sled. The big one that was down, we actually count as two because they can and do come down separately and bury the road with anywhere from 3-20' of debris. Most riders don't know about the other ones and they can be scary.

Like a lot of S&Mers are starting to say, ride safe and ride smart....

[Go Hard Or Go Home]

To bad some people can not just get it,It does happen to you!

[Ms. Swimmer]

We were actually going to have a parking lot discussionwith these two groups but by the time we got there they had left already.

Can't school all the stupids all the time! Sad to say i've had them with me and they don't get it! I don't ride with them after a couple of times!!!!

[Trax 2 Treadz]

Originally Posted by ferniesnow

Not enough riders follow the protocol for that trail, period. To add to your realm of knowledge, there are actually 6-8 chutes that may cross the main trail. I'm not counting the little sluffs that occur in the canyon but the ones that can bury a person and a sled. The big one that was down, we actually count as two because they can and do come down separately and bury the road with anywhere from 3-20' of debris. Most riders don't know about the other ones and they can be scary.

Like a lot of S&Mers are starting to say, ride safe and ride smart....

I know the Elkford club has probes placed along the trail, but have they ever considered signage for the all the chutes that may cross the trail? I'm thinking there are a few that I have not worried about or noticed that must be very serious.

[ferniesnow]

Originally Posted by bullitt

I know the Elkford club has probes placed along the trail, but have they ever considered signage for the all the chutes that may cross the trail? I'm thinking there are a few that I have not worried about or noticed that must be very serious.

Under our (Elkford Recreation Development Society) newly registered trail senario, the avalanche signage is one of the requirements and we are working on that. There are also safety signs for the major switchbacks that should be coming.

[Phazer Moon]

I'm grateful that someone from the Elkford area read Bullitt's message and informed us that signage is coming. Something is being done to inform the sledding public of risks on the trail; now, is the public intelligent enough to heed these warnings? I know, some will take the necessary precautions, and others will ride by the signage with blinkers on. However, thank you for making the effort.

[Trax 2 Treadz]

Originally Posted by ferniesnow

Under our (Elkford Recreation Development Society) newly registered trail senario, the avalanche signage is one of the requirements and we are working on that. There are also safety signs for the major switchbacks that should be coming.

That's great news, are there more details on this on the Elkford site?

going out again on wed. and if you keep your eyes open and watch its not hard to see the avi paths! just stay alert and don't just race after the person in front of you!!!! damn i can't believe the people that will just blow by me as i watch the terrain!!!never even care that i'm looking from side to side and scare the chit out of me! i hate to say it but i hope they don't die in front of me!! i will pray for them!