For the week of January 7 - 13, 2004

Be careful out there

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The storm that battered Central Idaho with high winds, deep snows, slick roads and avalanches last week delivered a deadly reminder: Winter can kill.

With more storms on the way, it’s a reminder everyone should heed.

Modern life so insulates us to the lurking dangers of the outdoors, that they’re often invisible until they strike. People commonly look at Idaho’s beautiful mountains as beckoning playgrounds, not as minefields.

Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of the storm that battered Central Idaho with high winds, deep snows and avalanches last week.

There is not a person alive who has spent time in the outdoors who has not unwittingly risked dying under the right circumstances. Most days, those circumstances don’t materialize, but days can turn bad quickly when they do.

The best that people who love winter in the mountains can do is to be aware and be prepared.

Skiers, boarders and snowmobilers need avalanche training and the proper equipment before they even think of setting foot into the backcountry. Doing otherwise is a proven fool’s bet.

Even in controlled ski areas, skiers need to wear bright colors on snowy days and remember to ski with buddies in out-of-the-way places.

Travelers need to carry warm clothing, emergency beacons and shovels. In remote areas, they need to plan for longer than scheduled stays if conditions deteriorate. Adventurers should do whatever it takes to stay warm and dry to keep hypothermia at bay.

Visitors new to any mountain area should find out if known avalanche paths could threaten their lodgings by calling city, county or U.S. Forest Service offices. It’s important to be aware of avalanche warnings and move to safer areas if danger gets high.

Snow looks so benign. Its pure sparkle draws us to experience the rich beauty and deep silence of winter’s shawl settling over the landscape.

Just be careful out there.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.