I am not sure how many of you heard about the avalanche in Revelstoke BC this weekend that killed two snowmobilers, but it may have legal repercussions for those organizing "unofficial and unsanctioned" events.
globe and mail story
The two dead sledders were part of the Big Iron Shootout, a not officially organized high power snowmobile hill climbing event. The two were swept up when their snowmobiles caused the avalanche that subsequently plowed through the crowd of spectators and their sleds at the bottom of the hill. The slide engulfed and injured over thirty of the spectators.
Police are considering criminal charges against the organizers as the event was held while there was a widely publicized warning of high avalanche hazard in the area.

Wow. That's our backyard and I had no idea it was getting so big. Around here we take note when it happens but we're rarely surprised. Isn't that sad?

Don't quote me on it but I don't know that a year goes by without someone dying on an avalanche in those areas. Scary dangerous but they still go out. There was a slide years back where 10 kids in a school group died out there. Now THAT was a sad story. Not that this one's any sadder. Just sucks more since it could impact us too. I can just imagine someone suing the local Flysurfer guy that puts on our little "hope for wind" kite fest because he boosted and biffed it.

Quote:

One of the event's organizers is known by many in the sledding community as “Ozone Dave,” a Calgary businessman who has helped promote snowmobiling in the region for many years. They confirmed his identity as David Clark.

That could be bad.

Quote:

Originally posted by macboy I can just imagine someone suing the local Flysurfer guy that puts on our little "hope for wind" kite fest because he boosted and biffed it.

Forget about getting sued. How about doing a few years in a federal pen?:o

S

Note to Americans: In Canada, any sentence greater than two years is served in a Federal Penitentiary; anything less is served in a Provincial Jail. Neither is as dangerous a US institution, but still not a happy place.

Avalanche did make the news locally over the weekend.

Big Iron Shootout 2009



Proximity of participants and spectators is a bit disturbing. There's probably a lot of stuff on YouTube from prior years of the event.

Clock might have been ticking long before the avalanche.

Feel sorry for the families regardless of what happens.

ATB,
Sam

High marking is just

Does anybody know if " ozone " Dave got his name from that PARAGLIDER company ?

We use to call it running the rainbow. The biggest problem is machines with way too much power and idiots with little or no experience in deep mountain snow. We ran around for years and had to build our own sleds. Our area (NW BC) was the one where long tracks and 2" paddles were invented due to necessity now any clown can buy one.
Sorry for the vent but really pisses me off to see spectators set up at the bottom of a chute, just stupid.

No.... the company in question is spelled
"O<blank>Zone" not "Ozone"

This is their website. Painfully long Flash intro (after verifying you have Flash) that is disturbingly prophetic and includes lots of copyrighted images that most likely were never licensed.

Unfortunately, the general public will not make the distinction afforded by a blank space (Hex 20).

ATB,
Sam

article:
I know it is not exactly kiting related, but we do get lumped in as an "extreme sport". The latest on this: Parent severely injured in slide may be charged under provincial law for endangering a child as his son was also injured. It seems parents of some children at the site are being investigated for a similar charges. So now bringing your family along to "extreme sport " events can get the child welfare Authorities helping you to make your decisions?
(This does not mean I think that sitting in the bottom of an avalanche chute that has guys running 300 HP snowmobiles up is a good idea. There is a reason no trees growing there.)
S