Life or Death! Snowmobile Story from Park City REALTOR

I’ve been debating to write about this subject or not on my blog because I’m Derrik Carlson and I’m a REALTOR that focuses on property in Park City, Utah – I literally dream about my work at least five nights a week!My goal when starting this blog was to only write about real estate, not take up our time with “what vacuum is right for you & your needs blah blah blah”. You might be starting to think I’m going off of the subject of property in Park City to try to sell you on something – in a way I am – but this could honestly be life or death for many of my clients!

My cousin, whom we will call John, from Canada called me the other day saying he was out snowmobiling with a group of guys he had briefly met. In this group a man, whom we will call Ted, was in his late 20’s and had four kids at home. Ted was high-marking (going as far up on the hill as he could) on a sled (snowmobile) that was very powerful and without realizing it Ted was on dangerous hill when he started a ¾ mile long avalanche. Ted was swept down the hill and under the snow before being squeezed up against a tree. Cousin John and fellow riders were able to get Ted out from under the snow in approximately twelve minutes and Ted didn't make it out alive. What Ted didn’t’ realize is that slopes 30 – 45 degrees are most likely to avalanche and a north facing slop is most dangerous in the middle of winter but the south facing slop is dangerous in the spring because of the hours of sunlight the mountainside gets. According to (http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Avalanches/Avalanche-Survival-Curve) if an avalanche victim is recovered within fifteen minutes there is approximately 93% chance of survival.

There are hundreds of factors that can go into the cause of an avalanche or the survival of an avalanche. What is most important is the correct education before going into the back-country (or even some ski resorts) to be able to recognize risks before an avalanche occurs.  Equipment you use such as beacons, avalanche airbags, probes, can be life or death.

Please before you go play in the snow make sure you understand potential dangers and how to protect yourself, family, friends, and even the guy you just met.

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Derrik Carlson

1750 W Sun Peak Drive, Park City, Utah 84098

Primary Email : Derrik@MountainDreamHouse.com

Personal Web Site: MountainDreamHouse.com

Cell Phone: 435-200-5478
Licensed to practice real estate in the state of Utah.