Should “Motorcycle Hill" have been closed?

[NotMessner]

“Four Japanese climbers are missing and presumed dead after a major avalanche swept the West Buttress of Denali on Thursday morning. The slide tore loose at a point known as "Motorcycle Hill" at approximately 11,800 feet and had a crown measuring roughly 200 feet wide with a slide path 800 feet long.” Was there any way for the climbing rangers to have evaluated that hill’s avalanche danger as extreme, and maybe closed the hill till the danger subsided?

 

[wfinley]

Is this a joke?

[burchey]

x2. We should cancel all the parts of t3h mountain that are the dagnerous.

[ivan]

the Management makes no guarantees

[NotMessner]

OK, don't close the whole hill, but how about puttig a metal staircase above the surface of the snow for those of us who don't like risk or danger?

[G-spotter]

for those of us who don't like risk or danger?

 

Have you ever thought about pursuing a different sport? maybe lawn bowling or parcheesi?

Edited June 18, 2012 by G-spotter

[olyclimber]

warning: choking hazard

[ivan]

OK, don't close the whole hill, but how about puttig a metal staircase above the surface of the snow for those of us who don't like risk or danger?

wouldn't it just be cheaper to take a chopper to the summit?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

 

Enjoy at your own risk

[AlpineK]

“Four Japanese climbers are missing and presumed dead after a major avalanche swept the West Buttress of Denali on Thursday morning. The slide tore loose at a point known as "Motorcycle Hill" at approximately 11,800 feet and had a crown measuring roughly 200 feet wide with a slide path 800 feet long.”

 

If I remember correctly, you have to sign papers before leaving Talkeetna saying you understand your going into an area full of unmaintained natural hazards.

 

So now what was your point?

[Buckaroo]

Cant tell if extra stupid or just trolling

[rob]

Isn't this the same guy who called Steck's everest climb a "pathetic performance?"

[burchey]

Isn't this the same guy who called Steck's everest climb a "pathetic performance?"

 

No, I think that actually was Messner

[mhux]

definitely a troll

[wayne]

First: your not gonna keep people from being foolish.

Second: Really though, it could have been bombed from the top. ..the word could have gotten out about the conditions (provided an interpreter was available..)

Loss of life can be prevented. Sounds like they got a ton of snow

I almost fell off a 12 foot crown there after it 'lanched in 88'.

[Alasdair]

I dont really have any interest in discussing your original question because its either a troll or your an idiot. There is a little more info on the conditions on my blog with some photos.

 

Denali avalanche

 

[JasonG]

Wow, glad you made it down safe Alasdair! That sequence of avi photos on your blog is pretty spectacular, and scary at the same time.

[KaiLarson]

Obvious troll is obvious.

[bsamp1134]

WILD-ERNESS AREA

[ZimZam]

I'll bet you want fixed lines on the Autobahn too.

[wfinley]

I want heated tents at 17. And an espresso stand at basecamp.

[Dane]

I want a nice BIG hut with radiant heated floors, heated sit down toilets with showers, a good view and a espresso stand @ 1700 Free Internet woudl eb appreciated too.

 

Then they can close Mortorcycle hill any time they want so they can fill in those pesky crevasses that show up when it is not so avi prone.

[Ed_Hobbick]

I wonder what the consensus was at 11200' camp as to the slide hazard and if the word was that the hazard was high, were they aware of that and did they choose to go on up despite of the hazard.

[Dane]

I've been to 11K 7 or 8 times....never had a consensus and very few communal cups of joe there.

[LSD1977]

My vote is for a gated planned community of yurts. All centrally built around a community center with both wi-fi and espresso bar and indoor pool