The Mountain always leads

I went to an Avalanche 101 presentation tonight at the museum in Govy.  The FS co-sponsored it and Roland Emetaz from the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center presented.  I have had a bit of informal avy training over the last few years, some of it covering general knowledge, and some specific to the Pac NW.  

For the purpose of the lecture (and subsequent examples), I was bestowed the honor of stereotypical backcountry user most likely to get caught in an avy. Some of my characteristics...approx. 32 years old (I was closest), male, skier, ego driven, complacent, "it won't happen to me" mentality, and the "I gotta get first tracks!!!!" motivation-which often has me leaving my brain and observation skills at the trailhead.

From the presentation I give you a handful of thoughts pertaining to avalanche's:

Roland started off the presentation by stating that "when you dance with the mountains, the mountains always lead."  It reminded me of a post I made for Alfresco Bum a couple weeks ago.

Technology is cool, experience is better.

64% of back country slide fatalities occur on blue sky days (maybe specific to the Cascades?)

70% of those buried in a slide die

75% of people caught in a slide have had some training/education regarding avy's

75% of people who die in an avalanche perish from suffocation, 24% from trauma (like getting wrapped around a tree, etc.)

The optimal slope angle for an avalanche to occur is 38 degrees, 30-45 being the range of highest risk

back country snowmobilers and skiers compete for the highest avalanche fatality rates

Food for thought for anyone venturing out of the front country.  Use your head and trust your gut.  Those in the Northwest, check www.nwac.us for current snow avalanche info.