Mourning At Mammoth

I'm just not sure what to say about what happened at Mammoth Mountain yesterday. Just a day or so after I wrote a post reveling in the fact that record snowfall will keep the Sierra ski hill open until July 4, three members of the ski patrol died there when the snow gave way around a volcanic vent. They were attempting to place a warning fence around the area, which was known to be dangerous. Two died when they fell into the vent, and a third was also killed attempting to rescue his two companions.

I almost feel foolish now for posting that I was so deliriously happy to hear about all the snow down at Mammoth and other Sierra ski resorts this year. Much as I love the sport of snowboarding, it has to be acknowledged what a dangerous and potentially deadly activity skiing and snowboarding can be. This has been a particularly bad season at Mammoth--those who died on Thursday are actually the seventh, eighth and ninth persons to loose their lives at Mammoth this winter. This is an unusually high number, but as one who worked in the ski industry for a short while I can tell you that most major ski hills can reasonably expect at least one or two deaths a year, along with countless injuries.

Ski Patrollers are the heroes of the mountain. These guys and girls are not ski bums--they are well trained experts. Not only must they be great skiers or boarders, but they are also capable administering emergency care under all sorts of hazardous conditions. And most of them do it for very little pay, or even as volunteers. Most of them simply love the mountains, and see being a Patroller as a way to give back while helping to facilitate a sport that they love.

Next time I see a Ski Patroller on the mountain, I hope I remember to thank them for what they do.