Bariloche, Argentina Report: Good Snow, Bad Snow, 7-Stitches & A Long Walk Out

Miles Clark | | Post Tag for Conditions ReportConditions Report

Report from August 8th, 2019

Brought to you by Cerro Catedral

Yesterday morning, we headed into the backcountry knowing we wouldn’t find much good snow, but excited to explore a new zone.

On our way to the new zone, we did find good snow in the ever-reliable mini-spines and the skiing there was fun.

When we got to the new zone, we weren’t sure about the conditions but hoped for the best.

Miles dropping into the mini spines. image: greggy

I dropped in first and the first 3 turns were punchy, variable, and weird.

Then, one ski punched into the snow and I was sent careening into the granite wall.

Bang!

Greggy atop the mini-spines. image: snowbrains

I was shaken up good.

It took me a while to get myself together, get my gear back on and navigate the horrible, sun cooked, breakable crust for 2,000′ down to the valley floor.

I was spent and my knee hurt but I was ok.

Vistas. image: snowbrains

I know to always go to skin anytime you get hurt, so as a matter of principle, I pulled my pants up and took a look at my knee not expecting to see much more than a skinned knee.

I was wrong.

I had a 3-inch, full depth laceration in my knee and it was gaping wide.

Greggy on a mini-spine. image: snowbrains

It’s always interesting whenever you first see a significant laceration in your skin.

Right away, you know your day is going to take a major turn and that you’re headed to the hospital.

Impressive vistas. image: snowbrains

I was worried that I may have also broken my knee cap and potentially some ligaments.

Greggy and I made a plan and from that point until hitting the parking lot only took us 2 hours and 30 minutes.

We nailed it.

Straight to the hospital, 7 special stitches from a trauma surgeon, an x-ray, and the analysis that I only damaged the skin and bruised the area with the hard hit.

Miles atop the mini-spines. image: greggy

Relief.

Big relief.

Go out and get a beer with Greggy relief.

Greggy workin’ it. image: snowbrains

Today, I’m on the couch per the surgeon’s orders.

72 hours of inactivity and no skiing.

If all goes well, I’ll be skiing again early next week.

Miles dropping into the big chute. image: greggy

To be honest, I’m exhausted and looking forward to the rest.

I think that being overly tired got me into this situation in the first place.

I should’ve taken yesterday off since I was so tired.

Lesson learned, again.

Towers. image: snowbrains

SNOW NUMBERS:

image: catedral, 8/9/19

FORECAST:

image: snow-forecast.com, 8/9/19

PHOTOS:

Vistas. image: snowbrains
Miles up. image: greggy
The Cathedral Towers. image: snowbrains
Ouch! image: snowbrains

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5 thoughts on “Bariloche, Argentina Report: Good Snow, Bad Snow, 7-Stitches & A Long Walk Out

  1. glad that turned out OK, Miles. It always mystifies me: how does the skin get sliced and the pants are unharmed. a crashing mystery.

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