The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek: Disaster on the Mountain | The New York Times

The fresh powder beckoned 16 expert skiers and snowboarders into the backcountry. Without warning, a slab of snow cracked and swept violently down the mountain. No one knew how many were inside.
Related interactive article: nyti.ms/12s7Dk6
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The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek: Disaster on the Mountain
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Пікірлер: 136

  • @kootenaybackcountryguides432
    @kootenaybackcountryguides4325 жыл бұрын

    An incredible article that I am going to use as an educational tool in my Avalanche Education Courses here in British Columbia. As always, KZread comments show just how sad a world it is with people commenting and criticizing others as if they know better. No one deserves to die and the families were left to deal with the aftermath. Leaving comments blaming the victims is a sad way to live a life and does little contribute to the educational value of such a video. I wish people would think before they left trolling like comments on videos that deal with tragedy, maybe ask yourself "is this comment meant to make the world a better place?" Otherwise, you are probably doing the opposite.

  • @robertstv8045

    @robertstv8045

    5 жыл бұрын

    Well said.

  • @jamesmorgan1967

    @jamesmorgan1967

    5 жыл бұрын

    Amen.

  • @mtadams2009

    @mtadams2009

    5 жыл бұрын

    I had a feeling the comments would be bad, more like pathetic. I wonder how many have ever really skied or been in the backcountry.

  • @HieronymousLex

    @HieronymousLex

    4 жыл бұрын

    Scott Gibson clearly none. These people act like you could survive any disaster if you knew whatever arbitrary thing they think they would have done better. I definitely question how many of these insensitive jerks even ski at all. They seem to not understand the weight of an avalanche and what that can do to you

  • @chloehennessey6813

    @chloehennessey6813

    4 жыл бұрын

    Kootenay Backcountry Guides fresh snowfall and they go into avalanche prone area?

  • @DjBall
    @DjBall11 жыл бұрын

    The multimedia piece by the Times was well done. Thank you for this.

  • @teamdeadly
    @teamdeadly11 жыл бұрын

    A great interactive article to which this is just a short video. The first time i skied the backside of Stevens I was with a group of 8 including 4 ski patrollers. One of the best runs of my life. Condolences to all that were lost.

  • @deanbell4070

    @deanbell4070

    8 ай бұрын

    Tye creek! I remember that day 😢

  • @jsmithepa
    @jsmithepa11 жыл бұрын

    The NYT multimedia piece was well done. I loved how the illustration scrolls as one progresses on the story. Pulitzer.

  • @rln970
    @rln970 Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic documentary. Very well done. Reminds me how much I loved skiing.

  • @mikehawk8276
    @mikehawk82762 жыл бұрын

    That ski pole moment lets me know deep down always trust your gut instinct

  • @ryanpiuma
    @ryanpiuma11 жыл бұрын

    I just read the full article. Incredible journalism, sad story. Thanks for the work that went into this. Anyone considering backcountry skiing should read the full article.

  • @guesswhaturit2197
    @guesswhaturit21972 жыл бұрын

    sorry for these losses.. so sad for the families

  • @gotyoazzleakin9860
    @gotyoazzleakin98605 жыл бұрын

    Rest In Peace. Stevens is my home mountain

  • @markabendroth1774
    @markabendroth17743 жыл бұрын

    RIP to all who perished. Mistakes were made but hopefully learned from for others.

  • @thegamerboneless2864
    @thegamerboneless2864 Жыл бұрын

    Backcountry boarding on fresh snow is like strolling through heaven. Danger and all it’s one of the greatest joys in life. This is sad, but rarely happens. I don’t wanna say if mistakes was made or not, I wasn’t there. Rip to all who lost their life.

  • @spellboundbythedevil4743
    @spellboundbythedevil47433 жыл бұрын

    May these men rest in peace ✌️

  • @sallythescorpion
    @sallythescorpion5 жыл бұрын

    Perfect example of the “group think” mentality. Definitely feel for the families of the 3 people that were killed.

  • @lovinlife4ever
    @lovinlife4ever5 жыл бұрын

    Weird that the guys that took the conservative line had to dig into his pack for his beacon...

  • @craigbosko2229

    @craigbosko2229

    2 жыл бұрын

    Lack of knowledge, I ran into a snowshoer last season at Stevens Pass,WA going backcountry (skyline) with 6 other women,her Transceiver was in her backpack turned off.No Avalanche coarse,none of them,no training of anykind and she had asked me if there are any signs (imfomation) in the backcountry, I told her,"No, your on your own"! There's no nothing! She said if they need any help they can get it from Stevens Pass Ski Patrol and I said true but they also can charge you ,$1,000.00 and that's for starters,they just walked away. The season was January 2021.

  • @michaeldelarue4669

    @michaeldelarue4669

    2 жыл бұрын

    From the NYT article they all did beacon checks at the top and all of them beeped on except one lift worker, so he must have had it switched on in his backpack which is better than it could be. That's still not such a good idea if your backpack gets ripped off.

  • @craigbosko2229

    @craigbosko2229

    Жыл бұрын

    That's one thing I'll NEVER understand in life, carring your AVALANCHE Transceiver in your backpack and it turned off. Just having it in your backpack is bad 👎 enough. You wear it under your 1st layer, in the harness, period.

  • @Lacocacolaman
    @Lacocacolaman2 жыл бұрын

    I'm too poor to afford to die this way. 😢

  • @DaveNash

    @DaveNash

    2 жыл бұрын

    lolol

  • @Lacocacolaman

    @Lacocacolaman

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@DaveNash no one makes a documentary about us dying in the hood going to the good taco spots.

  • @lchaney

    @lchaney

    Жыл бұрын

    Then you're too poor to go skiing in the first place. It's a rich kids sport.

  • @Lacocacolaman

    @Lacocacolaman

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lchaney right, it's literally what I said. Why you finna rub it in Dogg?

  • @bdb3011
    @bdb301111 жыл бұрын

    After 16 years in the ski industry, I've actually come to a place in my life where I don't blame ignorant people like tillallareoneluv for their interesting comments. This person can't help that they have no idea what they're talking about. "locator beacons"... really...?

  • @chloehennessey6813

    @chloehennessey6813

    4 жыл бұрын

    bdb3011 That’s what they’re called in Alaska. State troopers recommend you stop by their office and sign one out any time you’re planning on taking a trip like this, boat, plane what have you. PLBs, EPRBS.

  • @TheJeffDing

    @TheJeffDing

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@chloehennessey6813 Avalanche transceivers are used for partner rescue. Devices like PLBs are completely different

  • @lchaney

    @lchaney

    Жыл бұрын

    Hm, just because they don't use the same terminology as you, they're ignorant? I BET you still knew what they were referring to.

  • @realist7190
    @realist71906 жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately, several of these people are not skiing professionals as claimed, avalanche beacons are to be worn on your person, (this is not negotiable and are to be tested). Now days avalanche packs are an absolute must for back country or out of bounds travel. And one person in the group was saved by her pack! A quick snow pit would most likely have averted this disaster which again is standard before going onto an unknown slope out of bounds with deep fresh snow. Sad lessons to learn! My condolences and prayers go out to the wives and children of the survivors.

  • @bennettwilliams6628

    @bennettwilliams6628

    5 жыл бұрын

    Realist keep in mind this was like 12 years ago they did not have the same airbags and Equipment

  • @KyleMoran626

    @KyleMoran626

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@bennettwilliams6628 the avalanche was 7 years ago. Regardless, the people who passed away would not have survived. Their bodies were contorted and Jim died within seconds

  • @HieronymousLex

    @HieronymousLex

    4 жыл бұрын

    Here we have a “skiing professional” in the KZread comments thinking anyone can survive any avalanche automatically by having the right gear. Moron

  • @Amperland

    @Amperland

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@KyleMoran626 we can’t say they would have survived but we can also not say they would have died. If they floated higher in the avalanche they could have possibly avoided being crushed. Terrain traps are still always there though.

  • @samuelmilton1436
    @samuelmilton143611 жыл бұрын

    One Year anniversary!!!! We MISS YOU ALL!!!!

  • @audunl724

    @audunl724

    6 жыл бұрын

    Steve? what’s your problem?

  • @joshgabrielll

    @joshgabrielll

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@audunl724 He accidentally swallowed some snow don't mind him

  • @thepaulhowell
    @thepaulhowell2 жыл бұрын

    Please don't get me wrong: I feel much compassion for them and their families and friends. Yet, the quote: "We weren't looking for the extreme thrill. We weren't looking to defy the odds." They saw the signs, went past the warnings, knew the extreme danger and wen't anyway. Extreme sports takes a certain psychological mind.

  • @someotherdude

    @someotherdude

    6 ай бұрын

    Totally, completely. You are correct. It's very sad, but they clearly took a dangerous gamble, knowingly.

  • @samuelmilton1436
    @samuelmilton143611 жыл бұрын

    I was at Stevens 5 days after the avalanche and it was weird without Chris on the mountain!!!! RIP to all that died that day!!!! I'm going to Stevens & Mt. Baker this weekend!!!!

  • @jamielancaster01
    @jamielancaster01 Жыл бұрын

    Airbag saved Elise’s life!

  • @dashag8724
    @dashag872410 жыл бұрын

    Wow! Sad:(

  • @ImaMonaKnight
    @ImaMonaKnight5 жыл бұрын

    💔

  • @theeoarsman921
    @theeoarsman921 Жыл бұрын

    What a load, when you enter the back country you are looking for the extreme thrill and you should be well versed in avalanche safety and recovery!!!

  • @fredeschen3783

    @fredeschen3783

    23 сағат бұрын

    There was ski patrollers and many of the people had various levels of avalanche training. All were experienced.

  • @Duke4TW
    @Duke4TW11 жыл бұрын

    Real sad story.

  • @cababyboomerq6012
    @cababyboomerq60123 жыл бұрын

    Is skiing in the back country considered living on the edge? I am not a skier.

  • @craigbosko2229

    @craigbosko2229

    3 жыл бұрын

    Weather you ski or snowboard,snowshoe,snowmobile or whatever, Backcountry is Backcountry is Backcountry,It's all the same philosophy,the same SAFETY EQUIPMENT the same snow pits, it's no different, there's a right way and wrong way.

  • @craigbosko2229

    @craigbosko2229

    Жыл бұрын

    No, just because a person or a group of people goes backcountry doesn't mean there's going to be a avalanche, that's why people that go backcountry ALWAYS WEAR a backpack with a avalanche probe, shovel, snow saw, snow study kit AND WEAR A AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER AND EXTRA BATTERIES AND KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR EQUIPMENT.

  • @TheNWaite
    @TheNWaite5 жыл бұрын

    @2.44 '' ...we knew it was higher avalanche danger but we decided it was OK...''. Keep on knocking on deaths door and eventually it will open. I sympathise with those families who have lost loved ones but we're all accountable for our actions and the decisions we make. Ski back country in ''high avalanche'' periods then the odds are stacked firmly against you.

  • @thepaulhowell

    @thepaulhowell

    2 жыл бұрын

    Please don't get me wrong: I feel much compassion for them and their families and friends. Yet, the quote: "We weren't looking for the extreme thrill. We weren't looking to defy the odds." They saw the signs, went past the warnings, knew the extreme danger and wen't anyway. Extreme sports takes a certain psychological mind.

  • @starbolin
    @starbolin11 жыл бұрын

    I've been on the rescue/risk my life to save others side and I didn't feel put out or burdened. I was just helping fellow outdoors people.

  • @craigbosko2229

    @craigbosko2229

    2 жыл бұрын

    Any help is always helpfull 😊👌⛷️🍊🏂❄️

  • @mallesjim
    @mallesjim8 жыл бұрын

    RIP Boys!

  • @jebbuckerson
    @jebbuckerson11 жыл бұрын

    The crew that went right tempted fate, and fate won. Anyone familiar with mountains knows that steep, long couloirs are swept tree-free by avalanches, rockfall and rushing flood water.

  • @craigbosko2229

    @craigbosko2229

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sorry but the time me and my friend went to TUNNEL CREEK (98-99) my friend had snowboarded there 6-10 times,so I remember vic going to the right.Vic had checked the avy forcast and we made 2 snow pits and everything checked out a.o.k.- but we went to the right and never saw any creek but would go one at a time.Made it to the bottom,snow was close to 3 feet deep,had avy equipment everything.We did a total of 3 tunnel creeks that season.And to this day, I still remember the route and going to the right,if I did it right now, I would go to the right.

  • @SamClarkschannel
    @SamClarkschannel8 жыл бұрын

    RIP brothers

  • @SamClarkschannel

    @SamClarkschannel

    7 жыл бұрын

    So edgy. #badass

  • @techspins
    @techspins11 жыл бұрын

    Ah

  • @england670
    @england6706 жыл бұрын

    This makes me sad

  • @mitchelllawrence5086
    @mitchelllawrence50865 жыл бұрын

    “Who am I to say you can’t come, that’s not what skiing is all about.” that’s not what backcountry skiing is all about.....

  • @jdawgg7865
    @jdawgg78652 жыл бұрын

    0.52 this is what I tell girls

  • @Muush
    @Muush5 жыл бұрын

    480p... wack

  • @alexh5725

    @alexh5725

    2 жыл бұрын

    The video was made 9 years ago, 7 at the time you commented. You do realize that cameras have gotten better over time, right?

  • @Yoadavator
    @Yoadavator11 жыл бұрын

    they sound like good people. you do not.

  • @lukehotty257

    @lukehotty257

    3 жыл бұрын

    ?

  • @samuelmilton1436
    @samuelmilton143611 жыл бұрын

    VERY SAD!!!!

  • @shivagh6965
    @shivagh69653 жыл бұрын

    Always listen to your heart ,intuition has got all the answers. Heart calling ❤️heart calling 🖤heart calling 🖤❤️

  • @tomperkins5657
    @tomperkins56573 жыл бұрын

    You walk past and hear the beep, you ARE in extreme skiing. I gave up motorcycles when I got married and had kids. One side says don't judge. The other side says it's your family. And don't give me this bull...that they died doing what they loved.

  • @khatheejaa8530
    @khatheejaa85309 жыл бұрын

    Hi

  • @samuelmilton1436
    @samuelmilton143611 жыл бұрын

    I live in Denver and I snowboard in the backcountry all the time and I've seen avalanche's before!!!!

  • @audunl724

    @audunl724

    6 жыл бұрын

    Steve hating yourself is not a reason to say that to someone

  • @golsonmoldon9455
    @golsonmoldon94555 жыл бұрын

    Beacons to search Bad words

  • @515ventures3
    @515ventures35 жыл бұрын

    That is until you "kiss the devil on the lips"

  • @PattyBorgesPLR2013
    @PattyBorgesPLR20134 жыл бұрын

    🇧🇷🤗

  • @JC-jb1mn
    @JC-jb1mn5 жыл бұрын

    Thank God. You ALL survived! Praise God ❤

  • @thepaulhowell

    @thepaulhowell

    2 жыл бұрын

    Uh...God spared thirteen of them and God killed three of them...

  • @Rogsterius
    @Rogsterius6 жыл бұрын

    Stevens pass haha! Sufjan Stevens made an awesome album titled "The Avalanche".

  • @ayxzer3226

    @ayxzer3226

    5 жыл бұрын

    Wingborg Check out Stevens pass avalanche videos.

  • @savedbygrace6076
    @savedbygrace60762 ай бұрын

    I never like skiing I like it a whole lot less now PS don't ever invite me skiing anywhere anytime or any place

  • @masonsyoutubeworld1917
    @masonsyoutubeworld19176 жыл бұрын

    I’m from New York

  • @CatatonicImperfect

    @CatatonicImperfect

    4 жыл бұрын

    oh wow. really? that's crazy.

  • @naidegd3079
    @naidegd30797 жыл бұрын

    I knew 4 of the people who died, johnny brennen was my best friends dad :/

  • @benjammin9276

    @benjammin9276

    7 жыл бұрын

    That would be hard as only 3 perished... Brenan, Jim Jack & Chris Rudolph.

  • @audunl724

    @audunl724

    6 жыл бұрын

    Why lie about that? NaiDe?

  • @roofall247
    @roofall2475 жыл бұрын

    Very sad video that should have more to teach people in the future about staying alive the resort should def be held accountable.

  • @crazedmodder

    @crazedmodder

    5 жыл бұрын

    Nope, the resort should not be responsible as long as the information they supplied was accurate (e.g. dangers, etc of venturing into the backcountry).

  • @sydnerella24

    @sydnerella24

    5 жыл бұрын

    Why would the resort be accountable? They chose to go there knowing the dangers. It’s nature the resort had nothing to do with it.

  • @Salem-dz7zw
    @Salem-dz7zw6 жыл бұрын

    R.i.p Jim Jack (cause of death: plummled by snow) his body was crushed into a ball, His feet dangling over his head

  • @vidpromjm

    @vidpromjm

    2 жыл бұрын

    Could an air bag have made it survivable? Kept him on the surface above the main violence? The female pro skier was found near him so presumably went through a similar experience but had deployed her avie bag and survived.

  • @lello333
    @lello3336 жыл бұрын

    well this is the risk u take for ur passion, NAture is beutiful and i needs to be respected more, if u care about ur life, so no cry for this people, no RIP, is theyr choise to live or die. and they choose to die.

  • @MegaBanne

    @MegaBanne

    5 жыл бұрын

    It was a foolish behavior that killed them and not a conscious choice. They obviously didn't think it was as dangerous as it was. Otherwise they wouldn't have done as they did.

  • @ronnieliss496

    @ronnieliss496

    5 жыл бұрын

    What a horrible thing to say. No good person deserves to die. We all do something foolish grom time to time. I wonder how ud react if one of ur loved ones passed and someone said, "dont mourn them". Ur the problem with the world.

  • @srso4660

    @srso4660

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'm guessing english is not your first language...

  • @chloehennessey6813

    @chloehennessey6813

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ronnie Liss Eh you’re putting words in his mouth. He didn’t say anything about deserving to die- that’s your emotions, not his words. He simply stated they knew the danger and went any way. So yes in a way they chose to die.

  • @chloehennessey6813

    @chloehennessey6813

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ronnie Liss PS. You are the problem with the world. You lead with your feelings instead of the facts infront of you. Like his words; you twisted them into what YOU wanted to see and not what was said.

  • @ellis5446
    @ellis54468 жыл бұрын

    get rekt

  • @audunl724

    @audunl724

    6 жыл бұрын

    ?

  • @Diego.fromheaven

    @Diego.fromheaven

    5 жыл бұрын

    Wtf you need to behave

  • @Furyan
    @Furyan6 жыл бұрын

    Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. They knew the risk of going that dangerous route and paid for it. Is it really worth going down a dangerous mountain if you can easily die there? Idiots don't value their lives very much.

  • @kootenaybackcountryguides432

    @kootenaybackcountryguides432

    5 жыл бұрын

    I wonder why the same thing does not get said for people driving cars on fast highways. Would someone say this about you if you died in a car crash?

  • @mikenagle9931

    @mikenagle9931

    5 жыл бұрын

    Says the guy who texts on the freeway.

  • @ml.9746

    @ml.9746

    5 жыл бұрын

    Says they guy wasting away at his desk job never experiencing something great. Well besides last Thursdays football game.

  • @dynamo3059

    @dynamo3059

    5 жыл бұрын

    gotta agree tbh, middle of nowhere back country. they knew the risks. this is like going to helmand afghanistan and being surprised that you end up shot.

  • @runswithbeer
    @runswithbeer6 жыл бұрын

    I just don't feel sorry for these idiots that choose to do dangerous things and ruin their children's lives.

  • @mikenagle9931

    @mikenagle9931

    5 жыл бұрын

    Useful critique of such avalanche accidents does not include insults or placing blame on the victims. Why not be useful?

  • @craigbosko2229

    @craigbosko2229

    3 жыл бұрын

    Driving a automobile,your risking your life 50/50, what's the difference!

  • @maxl899

    @maxl899

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@craigbosko2229 What about driving your car on a bridge where there is a sign “ caution, it can collapse any minute” ? That’s the difference!