Avalanche
“Hi everyone. I stepped on a big one yesterday (3/27/20) and got carried over 2000 feet and ended up fully, but shallowly buried. I should have died. Because I didn’t I’m sharing this experience with you.” – Jared Inouye, 3/28/20
Yesterday, Wasatch backcountry skier Jared Inouye was caught in an avalanche and went for a 2,000-vertical-foot ride at speeds up to 77mph, traveled 3/4 of a mile, went over a large cliff band, ended his ride fully buried in avalanche debris, and was able to dig himself out.
“I went over a cliff band, through a choke, and was carried to mid-apron on S. Superior. According to Strava, max speed was 77.2 mph and I went .75 miles.” – Jared Inouye, 3/28/20
We at SnowBrains very much encourage the reporting of incidents like this so that we can all learn from them.
We will not tolerate negative comments surrounding this experience.
Let’s all read and learn from what Jared has to tell us
Thank you.
SnowBrains founder Miles Clark was also involved in an avalanche on Mt. Superior, UT on January 30th, 2019.
Right now, it is important that we avoid the backcountry or make sure ski/ride low angle terrain if we do choose to venture out.
If you do choose to use the backcountry during the Coronavirus crisis, please follow the guidelines listed below.
There was A HUGE AMOUNT of human triggered avalanches in Utah yesterday.
Avalanche Rating yesterday, 3/27/20 was:
- Moderate above treeline
- Low near treeline
- Low below treeline
Please check out the Utah Avalanche Center’s Instagram story to see Avalanches in these locations yesterday:
- Mt. Odgen
- Mt. Superior
- Snowbasin ski resort
- Cardiac Ridge (near Alta)
- Main Days (near Alta)
- Providence Peak  (near Logan)
Jared’s Recount of Avalanche
on Mt. Superior, UT on 3/27/20:
Hi everyone. I stepped on a big one yesterday and got carried over 2000 feet and ended up fully, but shallowly buried. I should have died. Because I didn’t I’m sharing this experience with you. #avalanche #utavy #wasatchbackcountry #avalanchesafety .
Yesterday @slcviking and I skied N. Superior and S. Superior. It was glorious. I wanted more. So, knowing that a couple family members were headed up, I said goodbye to @slcviking and went to catch up with them. When I reached the booter at about 10,600, my brother called me and said they had gone over the Black Knob and were going to drop from there. So, I decided to drop from 10,600 and meet them at the bottom.
.
When I dropped, my intent was to ski across a convex start zone to a puffy ridge. Turns out that I ski cut a sensitive slab way too low and dead center. I didn’t reach the ridge and was swept away. I lost my feet. There was no way to arrest and immediately I was engulfed in the avalanche, tumbling, falling, and slamming into stuff. I went over a cliff band, through a choke, and was carried to mid-apron on S. Superior. According to Strava, max speed was 77.2 mph and I went .75 miles.
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When I realized what I had done, I immediately knew what to expect because I triggered one on S. Superior summit in 2012. I knew probability of injury or death was high. Being airborne in free fall and not knowing what would happen on impact was harrowing, as was the thought was that death was imminent. The avalanche would constrict and squeeze me. It felt so heavy. There was one point where I nearly lost consciousness and all hope. But just as it was getting really dark, the cycle put me close to the surface and I saw light and got air. As the train began to slow, I readied myself for burial and death. When the flow stopped, I was fully buried. But I didn’t feel the immense weight and I could see the surface. I thrashed my head to create space and was able to cough out the snow that filled my lungs and throat. I gathered my wits, caught my breath, and eventually freed my arm. With that I was able to worm out of the debris. .
I feel very fortunate and very guilty. Please try and learn from this.
Talking shit will not be tolerated “ are you kidding me just dumbass selfish people Telling there story to educate people !! Off smart people don’t put rescue personnel at risk