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Show UTAH I MOSUtl, DLCIMBER ivii L nil INUtkMIl 5. IV77 V1 v A 1 1 vr. ' II All VOLl'Mt B7. NO. 61 Wasatch ski patrol is ready to help by Lori Halverson Chronicle staff skier stands at the top of a steep. solitary ok n expanse of fresh powder. Everything is peaceful and quiet. ! le takes a deep breath of cold mountain air and sets off dow n the sloje, listening to the rush of his skis through the snow, There is a faint rumble in the distance, but deep in thought, the skier doesn't notice the noise until it becomes a roar. Before he can react, a wall of snow is upon him and within seconds, he is buried beneath it. Depending on the sie of theair space surrounding his face, the skier may survive minutes or een hours, immobile in a torture c hamler beneath the snow. It's too late now for him to think of the precautions he should have taken. The mistakes have already Ixen made. But, if by some stroke of luck, someone knows he is out skiing and guesses he may have been trapped in the slide, this fellow may still have a chance. If rescuers win a race against time and find him before he runs out of air, he will be saved. A croup of very special people come into the picture the Wasatch Front Nordic Patrol. As its name implies, the y skiers organization is a group of nordic, or who work to insure the safety of other skiers in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. The patrol, ready to embark on its second season of service as soon as snow conditions permit, will function under the direction of patrol leader Ken Cramer. Cramer, a University student w ho learned to ski when he came to Utah four years group is totally ago from Texas, said that his We're voluntary. "We don't get paid anything. part of a new program of the National Ski Patrol," he explained. "Last season we had 12 registered patrollers. This year there are about 12 additional candidates. "When the season starts, patrollers will be assigned in two-ma- n A cross-countr- y cross-countr- er teams to ski specific areas. After we know where everyone will be, we'll have it mapped out on charts posted in various locations in the Salt Lake area. The patrollers will stay on those slopes all day, and then they'll sweep at four or five in the afternoon to make sure there are no skiers in trouble," said Cramer. 1 I A 1 V Three of the Wasatch Front Nordic Patrol covering some of the typical country they see hi!e working. "Also, we'll be making snow checks almost everyday as we willing to help wherever it is needed. "We'll help in any first aid situation cuts, broken legs, or whatever hapjn ris," said Patrol. To do this, we dig a snow pit and examine the layers of Cramer. snow. If there is a hoar crystal formation, we know the slore is In addition to its rescue functions, the patrol will also avalanche prone and should not be skied," he stated. Hoar instructions to interested skiers. provide free crystals are a condition that occurs in very cold temperatures, Each season every patroller is required to teach one clinic and according to Cramer. "The snow pits are useful because after examining the help with another, according to Cramer. Area organizations, sue h as scouting groups, ate welcome to arrange c lasses, and layers of a pit dug on one slope, we can judge the conditions other lessons will be offered through the University's of other slopes with the same exrosure. Then we can tell Outdoor program. In addition to scheduled groups, the skiers which areas are safe to ski and which are hazardous," said Cramer. He explained that the patrol has no police patrol is w illing to help any individual out on the slopes w ho be has equipment problems or questions about skiing or skiers should areas recommend and what can not to power skied, but cannot order them off unsafe slopes. waxing. Before a candidate for the patrol can become a registered member, he or she must meet extensive requirements. "All candidates must take advanced first aid and Cardinary-Pulminar- y avalanche Resuscitation (CPR), a first-yea- r search rescue and and course, mountaineering training, courses in order to gain regular patrol status. "They also have to ski 40 hours of on the snow training with another patroller," explained Cramer. Each year members of the patrol are required to pass refresher courses that get more difficult and intense each year. Although skiers must take the initiative to find out where rescuers will be stationed in order to take advantage of their Wasatch Front rescuers carry enough equipment with them when they patrol to help in most emergency situations. services, the patrol makes that an easy task. "Skiers can call the Forest Service or Alta Central to find what areas will be avalanche have a aid first "All patrollers are required to kit, skied, or they can check charts at Holubar, Mountaineer, materials," probe, shovel, spare clothing and said Cramer. Timberline, or other stores," said Cramer. "We'll concentrate our patrol on the more heavily skied areas, mainly in Big and Avalanche accidents are the main emergencies with which Little Cottonwood, and in Millcreek. The days will vary. the patrol expects to be involved, but it will be ready and We'll usually be out on weekends though, because lots of the guys work or go to school during the week," he explained. Patrollers can be identified by their green armbands with blue and white patches. The Wasatch Front Nordic Patrol was formed last year by Ken Cramer and a number of other people interested in y protecting the safety of the area's many enthusiasts. Henry Anderson, the patrol's first leader, was a primary force in getting the group started. Others on the long continued on page 2 cross-countr- y nonaa fire-buildi- cross-countr- Volunteers needed The Wasatch Front Nordic Patrol is looking for volunteers who are interested in y skiing a safer, more making enjoyable sport for Salt Lake area enthusiasts. The patrol requires only that candidates be in good physical condition, be interested in skiing and improving their skiing and have advanced first aid training. Both men and women are welcome. Meetings are held twice a month, generally on Sunday evenings in the University Union Building. Interested skiers should contact Ken Cramer or Nils Abramson at cross-countr- 534-018- The Wasatch Front Nordic Patrol discuss equipment at a pre- - season meeting. 1. |
