Close Call

On Sunday Cody and his friend Scott decided to go backcountry skiing. Because of the conditions they decided to go up Big Springs Canyon in Provo Canyon. They thought that because this area isn't particularly steep it would be safer. About 3 miles past the parking lot they heard a faint boom and thought that maybe Sundance was doing avalanche control. As they were traversing across the hillside a minute later Cody heard Scott say "Oh crap!" Cody turned to see what was wrong and was hit by a wall of snow. He was carried 300 feet through tree's and branches, cartwheeling out of control. When the snow finally stopped he said it felt like he was trapped in cement. Luckily his friend, Scott, was able to wrap himself around a tree and prevent himself from being carried away in the avalanche. When the avalanche stopped Scott pulled out his beacon and started looking for Cody. They figure that it took 7-8 minutes for Scott to locate him using his beacon. Meanwhile Cody figured Scott was also buried and they both were dead. After a few minutes Cody passed out. Scott was able to dig Cody out, his head was about 4-5 feet below the snow, and luckily nothing was broken. Needless to say Cody is very sore and shaken up by the whole incident. According to the Utah Avalanche website 31 people have been completely buried in recent years and only 6 including Cody have survived. We are so very thankful that Cody is okay. There is no doubt in my mind that someone was watching out for him that day.

These pictures came from the Utah Avalanche website. They went up after the avalanche was reported and took these photo's.