Phantom avy info? 04/06/11

Thanks for sharing your experience in such vivid description and again really glad all made it out in relatively good shape, although bone breaks are pretty serious things. Like you Marcus in my post A Foot of Fresh Snow where I described my incident with a slide that occurred on St. Patricks Day it took me some time to figure out if I would post about it or not. A cool reminder from Passenger who I talked to on my way out of the basin helped me to think beyond my own embarrasment and I am grateful that he gave me that nudge. Writing about life and death experiences is somewhat difficult but from my personal experience it helps one in facing the aspects of doubt, fear, and the self-chastizing that follow in the mental process. The up side is enabling the spirit to remain undiminished, undaunted, stalwart and resolute in the pursuit of powder skiing.
peace

Hey TAY'ers -
I'm Lou from Markus' story, actually Drew. Don't have internet at home or I would've posted here earlier.

Analysis of what led up to the slide can go on and on. Once the slab broke out and three friends disappeared downslope with it, that all becomes instantly irrelevant. Despite mistakes, we also did a great deal right. Despite what we did right, we also were blessed with great luck and fortune.

Many people involved in accidents in the backcountry are not fortunate enough to look over immediately after the accident and see an EMT in their S&R uniform setting a femur break in a traction splint and administering medical aid to both victims. Thanks Markus! And Doug too for being calm and collected throughout - from when the slide broke to the evac to the hospital on to today. And Roj and Don for their courage, not losing their cool once while sitting through convulsions of shock in the pounding snow that fell all afternoon.

Thanks also to the greater NW backcounty community. The enthusiasm, concern, and knowledge out there is incredible. I suggest you all go skiing to reward yourselves for being great people.

Amar, while there may have been a better way for me to express myself, your interpretation of my post couldn't be further from my intent. No one, including myslef is attacking you. Please note that I amended my post to be more clear.

For what it's worth, I've felt no obligation to post and no pressure, beyond the usual curiosity. As I said, I'm doing this mostly for my benefit, but I've got no problem sharing it (and neither do the other members of my party) if it will benefit others. Appreciate all the good words, thank you.

Ha -- no. A friend asked me that this morning. I did have Immodium and I offered it in jest to Roger -- I mentioned it in the write-up because, despite the tone of the whole affair, that's where we were at the time. Everyone in our party was just rock solid, in excellent spirits and happy to be alive. So much so that we were joking around and having as good a time as we could make of it, which made it pretty easy to deal with.

Tank of gas to get to Alpental - $40, bottle of Immodium - $7.95, sharing it with friends after an avalanche - priceless!

Still healing from a broken rib... it only hurts when I laugh. Thanks again Marcus, that part of the story is truly inspiring.

Thanks for posting your story Marcus. I'm glad everyone is out safely and healing up. I'm impressed that you're willing to work through your memories of the incident in such a public way. That's not easy.