Ski patroler deaths at Mamouth

[crazyjizzy]

Three patrolers died today at Mamouth Mt. CA. The deaths are atrtributed , at least in part, to volcanic gasses. The deceased include Walter Rosenthal, a well known climber from Yosemite.

 

Linl to Super Topo

[Gary_Yngve]

Thanks for posting. Very sad news, indeed. My thoughts are with their families and friends.

[dalius]

that's just plain messed up. who would think that a vent could be such a hazard? who knew there were massive steam vents at californian ski resorts? how very unfortunate.

[willstrickland]

If someone finds the other two names, please post a link. I have a bro who patrols down there and have not heard from him in a while. A little worried and can't get ahold of him or his parents back east. Thx and condolences to friends and family.

[archenemy]

that's just plain messed up. who would think that a vent could be such a hazard? who knew there were massive steam vents at californian ski resorts? how very unfortunate.

I think they all knew--its an active volcano. The whole region is alive--some of the most intense earthquakes I've felt have been while skiing there. But sad nonetheless.

[G-spotter]

Don't people hang out in the steam vents on Rainier somtimes? Scary

[John_Scurlock]

Don't people hang out in the steam vents on Rainier somtimes? Scary

 

Baker would probably be much more the problem, as it is known/measured to emit CO2 at ~200 tons/day, per Kevin Scott at USGS/CVO. However, Baker's crater isn't known as much of a place to hang out - an extremely hazardous locale for a number of reasons - gas, thermal, avy, etc. Baker is said to be no. 2 worldwide for CO2 emission; for perspective, though, Etna (Sicily) is #1, ~20,000 tons/day. Also, despite the odor, Baker isn't a huge emitter of SO2.

 

The Mammoth incident is indeed a terrible tragedy, & has echoes of a number of similar 'confined space rescue' deaths in the fire service. The rescue standard for those situations would definitely involve SCBA, which would not have been immediately available on the slopes at Mammoth... it would be so difficult to not rush in to try to help your friends.

[koz]

If someone finds the other two names, please post a link. I have a bro who patrols down there and have not heard from him in a while. A little worried and can't get ahold of him or his parents back east. Thx and condolences to friends and family.

 

James Juarez, John "Scott" McAndrews & Charles Walter Rosenthal:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-040706mammoth_lat,0,2392633.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[foraker]

If you've ever been to Mammoth, you'll have seen the signs warning about hazardous CO2 levels in certain areas as well as sections of forest killed off by volcanic outgassing. The Long Valley area is an area of concern for many earth scientists, most of whom are trying to figure not 'if' the caldera will erup again, but 'when'.