What do you do next?

vimeo.com/59589522 No information on the skiers situation in this video but it left me wondering what do you do next in this situation? Doesn't look like you would want to go right toward additional fractures and you wouldn't want to climb back up through the hang-fire. Do you exit down the slide path? Do you try to climb the out on the rocks to the left of the chute? Do you wait for your partners to toss you a rope (if they have one) and climb back out and go down the way you came up?

That was an amazing, terrifying and well shot view of ones world falling to pieces. I don't know the rest of that line, there's no right answer, and probably many that will yield a happy outcome. I'm assuming there is no rope. If there were a rope it probably would have been used to perform a secured ski cut. Here's my shot at a solution.

Breathe, attempt to chill out and try to get your thoughts and parts back under control. The adrenalin will be pushing you to act right away and that can lead to another mistake.

Next, if your current position is moderately stable, communicate with your freaking out partners. That's why I like radios in easy reach. The last thing you want is someone dropping in to rescue you and sweeping you out. Give them status and describe your next steps.

Get out from under all the chunks hanging above. Try to anchor the second whippet or upside-down pole in front and gently move forward onto the bed surface. It might have to be a dynamic move but you need to get out from under that shit on top of you while not getting swept.

If it didn't already go and you think you can safely do it, knock the remaining hang fire out from your descent route. Climb up under the rock, anchor and get some legit pole whacking in.

From there you can make the call on getting out. If the bed surface is skiable you have the relatively safe option to ski it down. You also may have the option to boot pack it back to the top.

I'd tend toward riding the bed surface. I used to be an east coast rider and am comfortable on firm conditions. I hate taking my board off on a steep line and boot packing unless its absolutely necessary. That transition and attempting to get a good boot in is way scarier than a technical descent on hardpack.

Before you make the escape your team has to be in agreement or at least informed of your plan. Moving off without that bit of coordination makes the rest of the day challenging.

1. Clean poop outta pants.
2. Have a cigarette.
3. Ski bed surface sticking closely to fall line.
4. Drive home and stop at gas station and buy a lottery ticket.

I'm not a big fan of the POV angle that Go Pros and the like produce, but they certainly have given us some insane avy footage. That's a mesmerizing 44 seconds.

I don't think there is a definite answer but skiing the bed down seems the best option. However this video highlights having a plan with your group. It would be tempting for someone to want to ski down to you. Even if they did not, they might not be able to see or hear you and if you take off down the bed surface and they are committed to not disturbing the hang-fire how do you hook up with your group in terrain proven to slide when your now in the runout zone?

Looks like his partner is standing at the top within view, so:

1. Communicate
2. Ski the bed surface
3. Don't complain if the bed surface doesn't ski well.