Snowboarder Rescued On Mt. Hutt

It looks like another boarder was stuck overnight on a freezing cold mountain.  This time it was Mt. Hutt.  He got lost in deteriorating weather last night and was notified after the French national failed to return to work.  Dave Wilson the ski manager immediately mounted a rescue effort.

The searchers found tracks presumed to be the snowboarder’s at around 11.30pm below South Face but by midnight had to call off the search due to appalling and worsening weather.

A helicopter and seven search teams were dispatched at first light this morning (Wed July 30) and the man was found by 8.30am in the Pudding Hill area, just below the tree line and outside of the ski area.
He was extracted from his position by helicopter and was “in reasonably good shape” according to Mr Wilson.

Snowboarding can be a very enjoyable recreational sport.  It can also be very dangerous!  But I’m sure that wont stop most of you from enjoying a good shred.  That is why I am willing to share some of the knowledge I have gained in survival skills from watching marathons of the Discovery Channel’s “Man Vs. Wild”.  The show features one of the toughest people on television, Bear Grylls.  The show is set in some of the toughest terrains and locations around the world.  Anywhere from the Costa Rican Rain forest, to the deserts Moab Deserts of Utah.  Bear will teach you how to survive in these harsh environments.

I think the craziest and sickest thing I’ve ever seen him do took place in the African deserts.  And I’m not talking “sick” like that was totally awesome, but “sick” as in “disgusting” sick.  Anyway, in order to get some sort of liquid into his system to prevent dehydration, he picked up a load of elephant dung and squeezed the juices into his mouth.  I really puked in my mouth when I saw that.  But you have to admit, that was bold.  So hopefully you can learn a thing or two from Bear with these helpful survival tips in case you get stuck on a mountain.

Alaskan Mountain Wilderness
·  The biggest threat to skiers is avalanches, which kill 58 skiers every year in North America.
·  When traveling to an avalanche risk area, carry a beacon that, when activated, will transmit a signal that the rescue services will follow if you get lost.
·  The key to avoiding avalanches is to read the snow. Use a ski pole to test the snow to see if it’s compacted or in layers. If it’s consistent when you push in the snow, it’s fine. If it suddenly drops off, that indicates it’s in layers and dangerous.
·  Glaciers are a good landmark that, if you follow them down, will lead you out of the mountains.
·  Temperatures in Alaska can reach as low as minus 60 degrees F, putting you at risk for frostbite. Keep your extremities as warm as possible. You are getting frostbite if your skin goes a waxy, red color, then black.

Sierra Nevada
·  If you need to find your bearings on a sunny day, you can find north, east, south and west by using the shadow and stick method. Find a stick, insert it into the ground and you’ll see that it casts a nice shadow. Mark where the end of the shadow is and leave the stick for 15 minutes. Mark the next point and that will create an east-west line. Anyone going on a trip to the Sierra Nevada should know the basic geography of the area. In this case, the Nevada Desert is east, so west is the best direction to head.
·  Often dew will collect on leaves and pine needles overnight, so if you’re desperately in need of water, this can be a lifesaver.
·  If you are lucky enough to successfully hunt food to cook, remember to dispose of any leftovers, or else you’re at risk of black bears in the area coming for your leftovers.
·  The manzanita bush, which is indigenous to the Sierra Nevada, is a great food source in the wild. The Mono Indians used them for their fruit, which they dried or used for drinks. If you come across the bush, chew the outer bit of the fruit, then spit out the hard seeds. The fruit is high in vitamin C.
·  If you can’t swim well but you need to cross a large body of water, you can use your pants as a flotation device. Remove your pants, fill them with air, then tie off the legs. Raise the pants over your head in the water and it will act like a life jacket.