Cannonsburg Ski Patrol 2009 NSP Patroller Educaton Conference and Patroller Challenge Snowbird, Utah April 14-19, 2009.

Cannonsburg Ski Patrol2009 NSP Patroller Educaton

Conference and Patroller Challenge

Snowbird, UtahApril 14-19, 2009

Cannonsburg’s PEC Team

Departure, Ionia, MI, April 14Final fuel considerations (both aviation fuel and patroller fuel, aka alcohol) required some last minute weight adjustments (not everyone was within the 50 lb. baggage limit).

Some sacrifices were necessary and non-essentials, such as radios and extra-layers, were left behind (however, priorities, such as the liquor “locker”, were saved).

Fuel Stop, Madison, WI• After a stop in Madison,

Wisconsin, to pick up another patroller, we topped-off our fuel tanks for the long leg to Provo, Utah. As we were in “hostile territory” (roaming bands of Badgers), we took off with a military escort (Air National Guard fighter wing).

Landing at Provo, The Weather Challenge Approaching Provo, weather became an issue. Information from Provo just thirty minutes earlier reported a 7,000 foot ceiling, 10 miles visibility and calm winds. Don planned for a visual landing. As we prepared to land, Provo called for an instrument landing and it was obvious that the conditions were much worse: 1,500 foot ceiling and visibility of about 1 mile and shifting winds and turbulence.

Despite the unwelcome surprise, Don was able to locate the runway in the fog and rain and, with exceptional skill, was able to land safely (to thunderous applause) despite major turbulence. Thanks to Don, the team was on the ground and heading to Snowbird.

Arrival, Snowbird Utah, April 14After the trip from Provo, which included a stop to replenish essential supplies (at the state liquor store), the team arrived at Snowbird (SB) – base elevation about 8,000 feet.

Half the team was staying at the Cliff Lodge (main facility with NSP events) and the other half at the Lodge at Snowbird, about 200 yards away.

Snowbird, Day One Wednesday, April 15

• After awakening to artillery barrages on Wednesday morning, the team learned about “interlodge” lockdown – travel between lodges is prohibited by law while avalanche control ( using artillery shells and similar explosives, etc.) is underway.

• With food services outside the Cliff Lodge shut down for the season, this was a potential humanitarian disaster for half of our team. Before food riots broke out, the lockdown was lifted and the SB Lodge contingent began the alpine hike to the Cliff Lodge to meet the rest of the team for a hearty breakfast.

• The team (at least those who had not succumbed to AMS, acute mountain sickness) met at the Tram to Hidden Peak at SB. Due to heavy overnight snows and avalanche conditions, the Tram was serving only expert areas.

• Due to heavy snow conditions, poor visibility and avalanche danger, Mineral Basin, SB’s back bowl area was closed Wednesday.

Snowbird, Day One - continuedLocals marveled at the intrepid souls riding to the top with skinny skis that actually had edges and wax. We walked off the Tram into heavy snow and blinding white-out conditions at about 11,000 feet.

After leaving the Tram, the group dropped into “Regulator”, a black diamond, and the fun began. Rather than the light powder Utah is famous for, the snow was deep but wetter and heavier than typical Utah snow. Maybe not quite true “Sierra Cement” but very close.

Snowbird, Day One - continuedSnow continued to fall heavily throughout the day and visibility was limited.

After lunch, some of our team learned about tree wells during a long traverse through the trees to return to the Cliff Lodge. Fortunately, the group was travelling together and there was plenty of help though no extraction proved necessary.

Snowbird, Day One - continued

Snowbird, Day One – de-briefing/wrap-upAfter an exhilarating day of skiing, the team had a wonderful Mexican dinner (washed down with plenty of “earned” pitchers) and attended the opening of the NSP PEC conference. The team had also begun to learn about 3.2 beer. Positive: drinking three 3.2’s approximately equal to one “real” beer. Negative: Three times the cost at mountain “rates” for the same result.

Snowbird, Day TwoThursday started with an NSP sponsored breakfast for most of the group. A large part of the team then attended an NSP seminar called “Dawn Patrol”. Snowbird patrollers provided a tour and lecture about avalanche control at SB

Highlights included visiting the “bomb room” in the patrol shack where explosives are prepared and skiing to several permanent gun emplacements (105 mm howitzer, 105mm recoiless rifle, avalauncher).

Snowbird, Day Two - continued

Unfortunately, no one was allowed to “shoot” though not for a lack of trying (our former section chief did his best to “pull the string” on the 105mm howitzer).

Recoilless Rifle protecting the Gad Valley at Snowbird

Snowbird, Day Two - continuedSnowbird Ski Patrol – top of Hidden Peak Tram- building is 12 feet high at roof line

• Later Thursday, the competition team attended an on-hill toboggan clinic. Taught by division toboggan supervisors, everyone had a chance to run toboggans in the deep snow on interesting terrain. Comparing notes afterward, it was clear that techniques vary greatly between divisions.

• Wrapping up Thursday, the competition team, coach and support team attended a meeting about the Patroller Challenge to be held Friday morning. We were the only team from the Central Division.

• We were also the only team with mostly gray hair – most other teams coming from Inter-mountain or Pacific NW pro patrollers or certified teams.

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller Challenge•No snow Thursday night but still plenty of deep snow on the mountain for the Patroller Challenge.•After a light breakfast, the competition team, coach and support team arrived at the Peruvian Express chairlift with the other teams.•Eight teams were expected but one dropped out early Friday AM, leaving seven to compete.

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller Challenge

Cannonsburg’s Patroller Challenge Team

WMII Section Chief Provides Final Briefing

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller ChallengeAfter riding up the chair and traversing across several runs the competitors arrived at the toboggan course: Silver Fox, a double-black run that funneled into a narrow chute to avoid a cliff band.

Spectators, including C-burg supporters gather in near white-out conditions at the top of Hidden Peak above the toboggan course.

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller ChallengeThe competitors took a “warm-up” run as the evaluators and toboggans were moved into position. As the competitors skied to the base to catch the Peruvian Express again, two Cannonsburg teammates (Mulvihill brothers) and Jeff from Wisconsin, who had gathered to watch the toboggan run, became potential targets of two run-away toboggans.

Riding snowboards in deep snow, they were shocked to hear a commotion and look up to see two “orange missiles” (two sets of stacked Cascade toboggans) coming towards them through the fog. With limited mobility and the toboggans following an erratic path, they stood their ground. Fortunately, the “missiles” came to rest without hitting anyone and the sleds were secured with the help of the C-Burg contingent.

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller Challenge

Toboggan CourseDon Smith and Bob Anderson check out the starting location of the toboggan course the day after the competition.

• A few minutes later, the competitors arrived again on the competition run unaware of the lost toboggans. C-Burg’s team was to go first. In the lead was Bob (“I don’t need no stinkin’ chain”) Anderson. Our intrepid aviator Don (“slow down, pleee……ase slow down”) Smith was on tail rope. John (“where are we? is it over yet? please let it be over!”) Donnelly was in the sled along with powder skis and three sets of poles. Visibility continued to be an issue with radio warnings about where to turn to stay on the toboggan course (and not run over a cliff).

• The first pitch, though really steep (double black), was handled perfectly. When the team turned left and entered the chute, the pitch increased and the build up of thick snow made it difficult to control speed and maintain proper position. Though control was not completely lost, the toboggan slipped around a bit and with the extreme pitch and snow in the toboggan, the passenger slid up into the tracers. Not a perfect run but impressive for a team running a sled in those conditions for the first time.

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller ChallengeToboggan course (day after competition) looking down the first pitch from the start. Small figure near center is a snowboarder on his knees near the left turn into the chute.

Toboggan course (day after) looking up the chute from the course run-out.

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller Challenge

After completing the toboggan run, the C-Burg team had a minute to catch their breath (and collect their wits) and ski down a cat-track to the OEC portion of the challenge. Bob Anderson took the lead as the first responder and skied down another chute to assess a skier who hit a tree.

Working in deep snow (C-Burg went first here as well and nothing was packed down around the scene). Note position of toboggan and supplies around the corner in deep powder.

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller ChallengeBob took care of scene safety and initial assessment. Ever the bashful and reserved type, here Bob politely asks a “by-stander” (aka Dr. Johe, NSP Medical Director) to stand uphill and protect the scene.

After Bob’s “radio call” and a three minute wait, Don Smith and John Donnelly were released to ski down to the scene to help

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller ChallengeBob had determined that the “victim” had two lower leg injuries (left knee and right tib-fib) and seemed to be intoxicated. The victim, while responsive, was not helpful as he mumbling and unspecific when asked questions. Shortly after the rest of the team arrived, it was also determined that the victim was diabetic and glucose was provided.

Despite having to “post-hole” a path to a poorly placed sled (10-15 feet away) and open up all equipment (some in original boxes – eg gloves, oxygen regulator), the team stabilized the victim and had loaded the toboggan within the 20 minute time limit. A classic “senior” scenario, the team and by-standers (remainder of the C-Burg team) felt we had nailed the OEC portion.

Snowbird, Day Three – Patroller Challenge ResultsOn Friday evening, the NSP Awards dinner was held and the results of the competition were announced. First place went to a team from Snow King which is located near Jackson Hole (pro patrollers and smoke jumpers, average age 25). Second place went to a team from Payette Lake near Mt. Hood (average age 25-30). Third went to a team of Eastern patrollers (the “Dream Team” - certified patrollers pulled from several areas). After the banquet, we learned that Cannonsburg had finished fourth – out of the prizes but extraordinary given the terrain and competition.

Snowbird, Day Four (Saturday)

• Saturday was a free ski day. The NSP PEC was over and the team had breakfast and hit the slopes early as the temperature was expected to be near or above 50. After hitting the run used for the challenge toboggan course the previous day and evaluating the pitch and chute, the team felt their run was an impressive performance. After exploring more runs and attempting some new “hydration techniques” (some need to learn: don’t eat the yellow snow), the team finished their trip in bright sunshine at the Tram base.

Return to Ionia, MISunday, April 19

Wheels up just before 10 AM (Mountain time) on Sunday. After an uneventful flight with a stop to drop off Jeff in Madison, the team returned to Ionia early Sunday evening.