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This weekend was the fifth annual Winter Wilderness Medicine Conference and the third at Lost Trail Lodge. We lucked out big time with a little storming coming in Thursday and lasting in to Friday. There were nineteen of us (two canceled the night before) and I think everyone had a great time. We had six students who did a great job cooking and were STOKED for the skiing. Dave Sartoni, who teaches avy courses and guides for ASI and UNR, came to do our Saturday snow safety and extrication workshop. Most of us met at my house at 8:00 on Friday and we met Dave from Lost Trail at 9 to load the food and extra bags on his snowmobiles. We got in to the Lodge in time for lunch (soup, crackers, cheeses) and then Dave led a great beacon rescue session out in the meadow. After that, about half the group skied Friday afternoon, hitting the slopes to the SW of the Lodge. The snow was decent, but it was easy to hit the crust below the new snow. The slightest change in aspect to the south made huge difference. Friday evening we relaxed and socialized (enjoyed the wine we had hauled in).
Dan, Dave , Justin, me and two students (Mike and John) did a “dawn patrol” and skied the steep north aspect of the ridge in front of the lodge. We headed further up it than usual, trying to stay out of the snowcat’s area. It was great! Up top there was a good 7 - 10 inches of great powder. After breakfast, lectures and lunch, we all went out and hiked/skied up the Cat road about a mile. We then split in to three teams and built sleds and splints for our victims (who had to be hauled a distance). Every team did great. Then all the students and a few of the docs went up to the top of the ridge where we skied down the north side again. One of the students was a little winded, so we short-roped her with Yuki who had no problem helping her summit the ridge! We broke in to three groups and everyone found great snow and had huge smiles! Dan and I dropped in to a steep couloir (45’ish degrees), which was a blast. When we returned we had phenomenal appetizers, more talks and then a huge beef roast and apple and pear pudding with whipped cream. Nobody went hungry!
Sunday morning Dan, Dave and I got up with four students and skied another great run in the same area, finally under blue skies. I was on Justin’s skis (I had my “boundless”) and they rocked! We had a great breakfast, covered a couple more topics, I gave out first aid medicine kits, and then packed up and headed out as the skies clouded over again and the wind picked up. Yuki, how had been great the whole trip, helped again by pulling Dan and Karel each part way out - plus a sled!
A slideshow:
Some short videos:
Sled Building and Pulling:
Skiing under the clouds Saturday morning:
Skiing early Sunday morning:
5 comments:
Looks like a great learning environment and a fun time, Dr. Dave. I know how much planning it takes to pull off a successful venture like this. You also are conscientious about the responsibility you have as the group leader, a role which I know comes with no small degree of stress, at least until everyone is safely out of the mountains and off the highways. Great job, as usual!
John Eliason
Dave,
Thanks for planning such a successful trip again this year! Erin and I had a blast.
Justin
Thanks Dave for a great, fun and informative trip, even if my quads are still burning. Looking forward to next year and already thought of some great activities to suggest. Rachel can blame YOU, Dave & Jason for giving me the backcountry addiction too!
Must have more gear!!!!!!
Michael
p.s. Thanks to Justin for keeping an eye on me while sucking wind up the hill. I passed my stress test!
Thanks for the incredible trip and amazing pictures to go with it. I know all of us students had a blast. I hope to hear about this elective offered for years to come.
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