Lesson 2: Mind the Sluff please

April 12, 2011 in Real Lif(v)e Blog

An unserem zweiten Tag in Alaska, bekamen wir gleich die zweite Lektion als Alaska Greenhorns erteilt.

Sluff kann zu deinem größten Feind werden. (Def. Sluff: a “sluff” will be considered a small loose snow avalanche. often the sluff will be the result of a series of point releases in the starting zone. The depth of the layer, for manageable sluffs to which this paper refers, can range from 3 to 15 cm. Skiable slopes likely to sluff range from 40 to 60 degrees. Observed speeds, estimated in the field, range from 5 to 25 meters/second. The density of the snow involved is typically 5 to 15%. The snow is new snow, decomposing precipitation particles, or near surface faceted crystals. The highest potential involves near surface faceted snow. Sluffs have been observed up to two weeks after the last storm event on the steeper slopes.)

Wir hatten gleich zu Beginn eine für Alaska sehr lange Line gewählt, mehr als 500 Höhenmeter. Nach dem Ueli eröffnete, war Hauni an der Reihe. Nach etwa der Hälfte der Line musste er den Outrun durch ein enges Couloir wählen, jedoch entschied sich auch der gesamte Sluff für diesen Weg. Und, nun ja, wer stärker ist, muss man nicht mehr extra erwähnen. Resultat: Ein Ski weg, 1 Helmkamera weg, ABS geöffnet, Nase zerkratzt, Knie beleidigt.

Nach dem Ausstieg auf einem Stecknadelkopfgroßen Grat am ersten Tag, brachte uns der zweite Tag gleich die nächste mentale Herausforderung. Alaska spricht zu uns: Fehler sind hier nicht erwünscht!!!!!!

Mal sehen was uns der dritte Tag bringt, noch interessanter wäre, wann der dritte Tag ist, derzeit nach wie vor Schneefall….

English:

On our second filming day in Alaska we got our second lesson right away.

Sluff can become your biggest enemy . (Def. Sluff: a “sluff” will be considered a small loose snow avalanche. ften the sluff will be the result of a series of point releases in the starting zone. The depth of the layer, for manageable sluffs to which this paper refers, can range from 3 to 15 cm. Skiable slopes likely to sluff range from 40 to 60 degrees. Observed speeds, estimated in the field, range from 5 to 25 meters/second. The density of the snow involved is typically 5 to 15%. The snow is new snow, decomposing precipitation particles, or near surface faceted crystals. The highest potential involves near surface faceted snow. Sluffs have been observed up to two weeks after the last storm event on the steeper slopes.)

We chose a really long line (500m Altidue) for our first run on the second day. After Ueli finished his, it was Hauni going down a real steep spined line. After 50% of it he had to run out thru a tight couloir. Unfortunately all the sluff came right down through it. Result: one lost ski, one lost helmet cam, scratched nose, bruised knee.

After exiting on a tiny crest on day 1, this was our second scary expierence in a row. Alaska is telling us: Mistakes are not allowed!!!!!!

Pics here:

The Face