Amazed

Thanks again for putting on the GP course, it may have already saved my life.
I was sledding out in Kakwa by Mt. Alexander, travelling across a glacier. I was only going about 5-10km/hr (basically just sightseeing) when the snow underneath me gaveway. Turns out it was a crevasse that was blown over, I just looked forward to see the snow breaking up under my ski’s but it was to late to do anything. I landed in the bottom and was wedged between two ice surfaces and more snow landed on top of me.

I could not move, see, and quickly ran out of breath. I was fighting like mad to get free and realized if I didn’t get air I would passout. I remembered in your course about one guy having to calm himself and control his breathing. So I stopped fighting and look small breaths and in between rests I fought to get free.

I was probably only trapped for 5 minutes but that was long enough. Once I got my feet under me and looked up I was about 85 feet down and my sled was about 10 – 15 feet hanging upside down above me.

When my friend came back looking for me he went to run around the hole and fell in the same crack, luckily it was narrow and with his leg dangling he was able to pull himself to the side. They had just enough rope to send down to me, with a shovel handle tied to the end I sat on it like a t-bar and they hoisted me straight up to the surface.

All I suffered were bruises, so as bad as it went it really couldn’t have gone any better haha. My sled is still there and we’re working out a plan to retrieve it. In all it probably took an hour to get me out. In retrospect I shouldn’t have been where I was and my friend should have evaluated the scene before running to my aid.

So, we learned a couple lessons the hard way. I know you guys don’t really talk about glaciers but hopefully you can take a little from my experience to teach others. So again thanks and talk to you soon.
Kory B., Grande Prairie Feb 27/09
CLICK HERE to go to Snowest for more photos
==================================
My father and I took the AST1 course in Grande Prairie and I would like to start out saying thank you to you and Randy for putting on such a great course. I’m pretty new to the whole sledding business and I learned a ton of useful information. My father, that has been sledding for years with his friends, told me he was amazed on how much he learned from your info and rescue strategies. I feel much more safe going riding with him now that he knows that much more, and I’m sure he feels the same about me. Jason R., Grande Prairie, AB – Feb 19/09
====================================
Hi Lori,
Just a quick note to thank you and your staff for such a fantastic course. The info you provided and the manner in which you provided it was just awesome.
I took in so much critical info both in the classroom and in the field. The way you made the classroom portion so interactive really kept it interesting and lively. The pics and videos were also a real eye-opener. You talked about tools and equipment to bring out with you, but what I learned in this course will be the best tool in my pack.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who enjoys the great winter outdoors. One thing I’ve definitely noticed is how I look at the mountains now when riding. A few friends and I just got back from Hasler, BC and it was so reassuring knowing what to look for and where not to go. We saw evidence of several slab avalanches on windloaded slopes. It was great looking for things taken up in the course.
At any rate you had mentioned coming back to do an AST2 course next year. Please keep me posted as I am definitely game for a that course as well as a refresher in AST1. Since taking the course I have told many people about it that are looking forward to you coming back.
Take good care and please keep me in the loop.
Cheers, Rich E., Grovedale, AB – Feb 22/09

These students participated in the 2009 Grande Prairie AST1 course.
Over 110 sledders took part. For the low down on this class, please CLICK HERE.

Commenting is closed for this article.