(photo of area were the event occurred)
A good friend of Wend from Surfrider, Charlie Plybon, informed me today about his good friend, David Nodine, who was killed by an avalanche last saturday at Jackson Hole ski area in Wyoming. David was described as a very competent backcountry rider, who approached the mountain with lust and caution. Reports said Nodine and another rider had dropped a cliff and triggered the slide just after. Though the avalanche occurred in bounds, Jackson Hole Ski Patrol had assessed the area before opening, and did not believe the area to be a threat to skiers and boarders; the slide was a highly local event and couldn’t have been prevented. Nodine’s wife described the tragedy as an accident.
Patrollers located Nodine via his avalanche transceiver about six minutes after the slide, and were able to get to him after about 10 minutes. He was buried by about 8 feet of snow and the cause of death is reported to be suffocation.
David and his wife were in the process of trying to sell their house, and were planning to move to Portland after.
On behalf of the entire Wend staff, many of whom are avid off piste riders ourselves, I’d like extend our condolences. This was a horrible tragedy, and we’re very sorry to hear about David’s death. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
And Cascade Range riders, please take extra caution in the backcountry (as well as in bounds) as The Northwest snowpack is extremely unstable right now.
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This is a reminder of what our snow conditions are in the area this year. We have an ice/rain crust close to the ground layer. New snow is having a difficult time adhering to it. This propblem is likely going to persist through the year. Only time will tell.