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Thread: Solitude patroller caught in avalanch

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    Solitude patroller caught in avalanch

    Ski Patrol Member gets caught up in Avalanche at Solitude

    A Solitude Ski Patrol member was swept away in an avalanche on Thursday just before noon between Solitude and Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Luckily, the victim is alive, and able to tell his incredible story.

    He suffered a broken leg, a possible back injury and cuts and bruises. He was patrolling the cat-trail that connects Brighton to Solitude.

    "On a day like today the type of avalanche you get is a wet avalanche because of heat. It's going to be heavy; not fast moving, but it's going to have a lot of energy to it," explains Sgt. Kevin Betterton of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

    Thursday a Solitude employee was caught right in the middle of just that type of Avalanche.

    Solitude's Director of Marketing and Public Relations Jay Burke says, "He was observing in an area... triggered a slide in which he was caught up and went for a ride."

    He wasn't buried in the slide, but got bound in the debris. Other patrollers close by pulled him out and radioed for help. "He was pretty shook up," says Sgt. Betterton.

    "You never want to get caught in a slide under any circumstances. So we're happy that this is going to have a good ending," adds Burke.

    Because of avalanche potential, the patroller was actually making sure no one else was in the area before Solitude closed the Solbright trail which connects the two resorts. Burke states, "We do keep a watchful eye on that area. It does face east and gets a lot of sun this time of year. Very frequently its closed this time of day."

    The fact that this particular slide occurred inbounds sends a strong warning to spring skiers. "We're seeing a lot of out of bounds right now, stay in bounds and be smart," pleads Burke.

    This is the time of year when avalanche danger is at its highest. The sun beats down and soaks the snow with water, causing it to slide easily. Experts say it's best to ski inbounds and if you're itching to recreate in the back country, call the Avalanche Forecast Center for snow conditions.

    The Solitude Patroller was taken by helicopter to the University of Utah Medical Center. His name has not been released to the public, but he is in stable condition.

    This is the second avalanche involving a skier in three days. Four skiers triggered two slides in Little Cottonwood Canyon near Alta on Tuesday.

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