Previously posted on my Thrillhead Blog
Every year there’s at least a handful of people who die in avalanches here in Colorado. Some of them are just names… another tragedy. But others are a little closer to home…. For instance, last season two people were killed in an avalanche near Aspen. I didn’t know those two people, but I did know the third person that was with them. Two seasons ago a man died in an early season avalanche on Berthoud Pass. I didn’t know him either, but I did know a few people who were there at the same time and were involved in the rescue attempt.
This year Colorado backcountry skiers were once again reminded of the potential danger of the snow when we heard about Luke Oldenburg, a 31-yr old who was buried in an avalanche on Cameron Pass. We all rejoiced when we heard that he survived the burial and that his friends rescued him. But the rescue was not enough. Luke died of trauma a few days later.
I didn’t know Luke, but there’s a lot I can understand about him. He was an experienced backcountry skier. The news reported that, like me, he’s skied 30 fourteeners. When I heard this information, Luke’s death kind of hit home. I can put myself in his shoes and understand what must have been running through his mind that day… It was early December, and avid skiers like myself just wanted to get out and find some good snow. Luke was a victim of what I call “Early Season Syndrome”. Unfortunately, I had to hear about his death before I was reminded about this potentially deadly syndrome.
What is Early Season Syndrome? It’s similar to what many term summit fever. Except, in this case, the person may not even be attempting a summit. Early Season Syndrome is driven by a backcountry skier’s desire to get out and ski after not being able to satisfy the ski-craving after a long hot summer. This is similar to summit fever being driven by a climber’s desire just to get to the top of a peak. As with summit fever, Early Season Syndrome can cloud a person’s judgement: forgetting to constantly reassess avalanche conditions, risks, and routes can be symptoms of this syndrome. Luke and his friends were all victims of this syndrome as they changed plans that day. They started climbing something they originally planned on avoiding. They were going to avoid it because they knew the potential for avalanches there was high. Yet, when they got there, temptation took over along with Early Season Syndrome, and poor decisions were made. Sometimes people get lucky and nothing happens when poor decisions are made, but this was not the case for Luke and his friends.
I speak of this Early Season Syndrome because I have noticed it’s symptoms in both myself and in other people I ski with. Most skiers are victims of it from time to time. When Frank and I attempted Torrey’s in late November (see Nov. 28th blog entry) we were both under the influence of Early Season Syndrome, but we realized it early, and adjusted our decisions quickly. Unfortunately, most skiers forget about Early Season Syndrome until something tragic happens, like the death of a fellow skier. However, I’m a firm believer that if you can recognize the syndrome, you can help reduce the syndrome’s affects at clouding your judgement.
So, backcountry skiers: Don’t forget when you get out into the backcountry to take a step back. Take a breath. Reassess your situation from time to time. Adjust your routes accordingly. Don’t be pressured by peers and don’t let the desire for snow or a summit affect your judgement. Your life may depend on it.
Other Resources about the Avalanche on Cameron Pass:
CAIC report
Denver Post Article
