Deadly collision

I can't argue with that...

A follow up:  wtop.com/?sid=1012744&nid=25

I am surprised that nobody has brought up the issue of helmet use. Regardless of the snowboarder's obvious guilt, the victim may very well have survived had they been wearing the appropriate safety gear. I think anyone who hears about this accident and continues not to wear a helmet in bounds exhibits equally poor judgment as someone who skis blindly at 50 mph. I see no reason not to require certified helmet use in bounds at all times (we already have bike helmet laws).

The other issue is policing. There is none. When is the last time you saw a patroller actually patrolling the slopes? Some punks may not have the judgment to ski in control, but they would respond to the fear of losing their lift ticket for being a clear threat to others. But I suspect that ski area management is too concerned about maximizing profit to hire anyone to slap wrists.

On the brighter side of things, the last few times I have ridden lifts (Baker) I haven't seen any bad collisions or anything that would warrant a clipped ticket. So maybe there isn't a big problem after all?

I think anyone who hears about this accident and continues not to wear a helmet in bounds exhibits equally poor judgment as someone who skis blindly at 50 mph.  I see no reason not to require certified helmet use in bounds at all times (we already have bike helmet laws).

Hmm. I'm not sure I agree with that reasoning. A crude analogy would be to argue that we don't need gun control laws, just laws requiring everyone to wear bullet-proof vests.

Here's a story in this morning's Times about helmet use:

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews...04415_helmet01m.html

As Paul Baugher says in the article, "Nowadays, it's mostly the older skiers, the ones who grew up with wool hats, who aren't hip to helmets." You can count me in that group. It's hard to move past the "I've been skiing 40+ years without a helmet, why do I need one now?" mindset. I haven't become any less safe, but the people around me have. Maybe I can get over that.

Question for those of you who wear helmets in the backcountry (not just in-bounds). Do you feel naked without one? If so, what does that say about your backcountry skiing style?

I wear a helmet in the BC when I remember to pack it. I don't really feel naked without it, but it is a nice feeling to guard against branches while tree skiingespecially when the light is weird and they sneak up on you, or in hard conditions that wouldn't feel good to crash on. Also I feel better with it on in places like Mt. Ruth when the sun is strong and that loose volcanic rock is starting to come down in the dogleg couloir. I guess that is that is the same reason I keep it on while rock climbing.

Here is another interesting ski related verdict, unfortunately it involves snowboarders again;

pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/0641-pri...ing-fatal-avalanche/

My thoughts are that this is a pretty harsh punishment for those guys, heck I think all of us have made bad decisions when we were their age, but it probably will send a good message of responsibility as well. I also can't help but think the guide shares in some of the responsibility.

I'm just saying that when the bullets are already flying, it's foolish not to take precautions.

Thankfully while in the backcountry, you can usually assume that only you are responsible for your safety. I've starting wearing a helmet while I learn how to ski, because there are a lot of things to hit out there, and I know that I will fall.