Mt. Bachelor and Bend as an extension have received a massive amount of snow this past week. Though we all pray for snow, it comes with dangers hidden beneath the surface. Heavy snowfall up on Mt. Bachelor conceals another layer of danger: tree wells. A man from Seattle on a ski vacation was found unresponsive in a tree well on the west side of Mt. Bachelor this Monday. The man later died in the clinic at the base after 15 to 20 minutes being trapped head-first.
According to The Bend Bulletin, this past storm system gave Mt. Bachelor a 20% boost in snow pack. Though powder is nice and light, tree wells become even more of a hazard, as it is possible to slip through the fluff and into a tree well and become trapped.
Tree wells form when low hanging branches prevent snow from filling in around the bases of trees. This creates a deceptively deep cavern that is hidden by snow on top of branches, making it a hazard for skiers and snowboarders. And after the heavy snowfall we’ve had this week, the wells only get deeper and more concealed.
It’s easy to think “it could never be me” but in reality, it can happen to anyone no matter their skill level. Skiing with a partner is the best way to prevent fatal accidents such as these, but even with a partner it can be extremely hard to pull someone out of a tree well especially if more snow falls on top of them. If you know you will be in a less populated backcountry ski area, it is always good to carry gear such as shovels, beacons and probes that can be life saving in emergency situations. Beacons and probes are crucial when trying to locate someone buried but can also be complicated to use. The steps of locating someone can be found on The Summit Register’s blog page.
If you or someone around you ends up falling into a tree, grabbing onto tree branches to prevent yourself from falling in further should be the first thing that goes through your mind. The next important thing is to not struggle. If you are struggling a lot, the snow will only become more disrupted and could keep shifting on top of you. Even though it’s a scary situation, staying calm and breathing evenly can save your life by preserving the little air you have while you wait for help. Create a little pocket near your face for breathing and after a while, the heat from your body will harden and stabilize the snow around you.
There is no better boost of serotonin than riding on a soft layer of snow, but beneath that lies dangers that can be mitigated. This year has been particularly tragic with the deaths of three people who had deep roots in our community. Renee Skjersaa, a beloved teacher, athlete and coach, and Terry Skjersaa, a realtor and the owner of a local ski shop, passed on Feb. 17 after being buried in an avalanche. On Mar. 13, another cherished community member, MBSEF coach and ski champion Brian Roberts, succumbed to injuries caused in an avalanche near Diamond Lake, Oregon. These impactful members of our community serve as a reminder of the danger in the activities we love to do. We all love a powder day after a heavy snowfall, but staying safe is a top priority. At the end of the day, if you decide to enjoy the powder, make sure you are properly prepared to stay safe.
