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...And Central Oregon beefs up its avalanche awareness. Read on...
On Sunday a skier who was exploring the backcountry around the Alta Ski Area was buried under four feet of snow after he was consumed by an avalanche.
Lucky for buried dude, part-time Bend resident and mountain guide Todd Glew was on the scene.
“I was not really excited about the whole rescue,” Glew said. “When I saw it, I thought I was digging up somebody that was dead…We dug up a guy who is purple and blue or whatever, but he was OK.”
Buried-dude is now alive-dude, and reportedly walked away after he was uncovered. A life was saved because Glew had a beacon and is an experienced backcountry skier with avalanche safety training. Buried-dude also had a beacon, allowing him to be found.
Now, in Central Oregon, backcountry shredders operating out of Dutchman Flats, Paulina, and Three Creeks have increased safety measures that should help keep them out of avalanche danger. Central Oregon Avalanche Association, in partnership with COCC, has put up avalanche awareness signs at all three areas as well as a beacon checker at Dutchman.
Attend a free Know Before You Go (KBYG) avalanche awareness clinic at GoodLife (Feb. 13, 6pm) and (March 13, 6:30pm).
