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survival

Trapped Under an Avalanche for Nearly an Hour, French Survivor Reflects on Survival

For nearly an hour, Thibault lay buried under 1.2 meters (4 feet) of snow, unable to move, unable to see, fighting for breath. The 38-year-old skier from Megève had been ski touring in Bonneval-sur-Arc, France, on February 14 when a snow slab fractured beneath him, sweeping him away. His survival, against overwhelming odds, was nothing short of miraculous. In an […]

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Julia Schneemann | February 25, 2025
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79-Year-Old Man Found Alive after Spending the Night in a Tree Well at Blacktail Mountain, MT

A 79-year-old male skier was found alive after spending an entire night lost at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Montana. The man had taken shelter in a tree well—a hollow space that forms around a tree trunk when snowfall accumulates on its branches, preventing snow buildup beneath. To stay warm, he used pine branches as insulation and started a small […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | February 24, 2025
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Survival of the Fittest: Bear Attack in California’s Trinity Alps

Saturday, August 15, 2020 – Ken Decamp set out for a day hike in California’s Trinity Alps. Ken set out to revisit the Canyon Creek Lakes Drainage, photograph wildflowers, see the isolated basin, and document aspens. That Saturday turned from a pleasant walk in the woods to an outdoorsman’s worst nightmare. At about 10:30 am, Ken stopped along a creek […]

Dominic Gawel | February 18, 2021
1 Comment

Could You Survive An Unplanned Night Out in the Mountains?

Last week, eight of my friends spent an unplanned night in the mountains in a rainstorm in Japan. They spent the night out on a deep snowpack at about 1,600 meters (5,250 ft). It was the worst night of the year to spend a night out. There was even lightning and thunder this night. After they got back and had a few days to digest everything I asked them a few questions about their trip. I wanted to know what gear they had with them, what they did that worked, and what gear they wish they had with them. […]

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Miles Clark | February 10, 2021
10 Comments

How to Avoid and Survive an Avalanche

debris, avalanche

Avalanche risk has been rising due to the influx of backcountry skiers. An increasing number of skier-triggered avalanches have been reported this spring. However, with some preparation and safety knowledge, the fatality rate can lower. Related: How Much Time Do You Really Have to Live Under an Avalanche Avoiding an Avalanche 1. Get the proper gear. Before you even decide to […]

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Taliana Potts | April 25, 2020
1 Comment

Snow: The Survival Mechanism For An Exclusive Ecosystem

The cold and snowy months of winter force trees to drop their leaves, animals to seek hibernation, and humans to escape the outdoors. The harsh conditions that inevitably shift ecosystems create a deceivingly inactive environment. However, while the rest of the world is quiet, an exclusive ecosystem bustles beneath the snow. For many species, snow presents scarce food and challenging […]

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Emily Crofton | February 7, 2020
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7 Blizzard Survival Tips From A Retired Navy SEAL

Ski season also means blizzard season. That’s great news for the slopes but not so good if, in the unlikely event, you get trapped in your car during a snowstorm. Do you call for help right away? Do you get out of the car? What supplies should you have just in case? Related: Severe Weather: Watch For Snow Squall Warnings […]

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Avatar photo SnowBrains | November 18, 2019
3 Comments

Classes And Coursework You Can Take This Summer To Become A Better Backcountry Athlete

If you can’t afford the time and costs of traveling to the southern hemisphere to get in your ride fix over the summer months you still have options to help progress your backcountry knowledge and skills. When you’re out in the backcountry it’s likely you only spend about 5 percent of your day actually riding lines and these summertime months […]

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Alex K | June 28, 2019
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Skier Buried in Colorado Avalanche for 3 Hours & Survives | {Denver Post}

On March 2nd, 2013 two skiers were caught in an 6-foot deep, 1,200-foot wide avalanche in Paradise Bowl on the west side of Cameron Pass near Fort Collins in the Colorado backcoutry.  One didn’t make it and the other was buried for over 3 hours before being rescued by professional rescuers. Very few avalanche victims survive over a burial over […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
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Avatar photo SnowBrains | March 31, 2013
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