Deaths by avalanche draw the most media attention, but there’s another snow-related danger that is a threat to skiers, snowboarders and even snowshoers: tree wells.
It’s thought that last week a 40-year-old expert skier might have fallen into a pocket in the deep, soft, loose snow surrounding a tree, probably a conifer, at Crystal Mountain Ski Area. If that’s true, his death is one of several in North America this winter. As of this time, he has not been found.
Deaths include two at Whitefish Mountain Resort, a 29-year-old snowboarder and a 16-year-old skier; and a 20-year-old snowboarder died at Whistler Blackcomb. And one year, an experienced ski patroller fell in a tree well but was rescued by another patroller.
In another close call, a 5-year-old boy fell into a tree well about 10 feet deep at Crystal Mountain. His father went in after him.
Fortunately both were rescued, but it needed an extreme effort by a good Samaritan to pull out the father after he had handed up his son. It was just luck that someone saw the accident.
Avalanches come with a roar, tree wells with silence. Perhaps that’s why few appreciate the dangers. While there are plenty of stories of people escaping from avalanches, there are few good-news tales for people who fall head first into tree wells.
The unfortunate snowrider, unable to get out, suffocates while struggling, actually packing the loose snow closer to his, or her, body.
Think of tree wells as trapdoors: easy to fall in, harder to get out. Make that impossible to get out in most cases, especially if you’re in a vertical position with your head down. There’s no leverage. The snow packs around your body. Frantic struggling means sinking deeper. Breathing is difficult. It may be impossible to get out of your snowshoes, skis or snowboard.
Still wondering how hard can it be?
In a couple of experiments, several volunteers were placed in simulated tree wells (a partner stood by to rescue them) and told to get out. The result: More than 90 percent could not.
Here’s some advice from various ski experts on how to stay out of or survive long enough for help to reach you:
•Never ski alone. The trailing skier should never lose sight of the lead skier.
Avoid trees. If you’re skiing through trees, slip out of your pole straps. It’s difficult to get out of the straps when you’re buried.
If you fall and are sliding toward a tree, grab anything you can to stay out of trouble.
If you’re buried, stay calm. Out-of-control struggling brings down more snow or can cause additional sinking if you’re in a particularly deep well.
Calmly wiggle around a little to create air space in front of your face. It won’t take long to suffocate, but you can buy yourself time.
Slowly rocking your body helps; once you have some breathing room, keep rocking to create enough room to maneuver out.
If you can’t get out, shout and move your legs to attract attention (assuming you’re not in too deep).
With luck, you won’t be a statistic. For more information about tree wells, go to www.treewelldeepsnowsafety.com, probably the best website for the total picture.
There’s always eBay. Sorry. but it’s too late to buy a Crystal Mountain Ski Area lift chair, but the cable is still available.
The ski area removed the Miner’s Basin chair lift last summer and sold 161 two-person chairs for $250 each. The chairs are 9 feet tall, 3 1/2-feet wide, 2 feet deep and weigh 80 pounds, which pretty much rules out placing them in an apartment.
The cable sells for $20 a foot. Call 360-663-3003 for more information.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
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