Tree well, safety top of mind in snow sports community following tragedy at Mt. Bachelor
'There is a risk in order to build those memories, to have those experiences'
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Following Monday's tree well tragedy at Mt. Bachelor, winter safety is at the top of experienced skiers' minds, like Dan McGarigle, the owner of Pine Mountain Sports.
"Keep your eyes up, draw your lines, go and recreate - but recreate within your abilities," he said Tuesday.
On Monday afternoon, search and rescue teams rushed to the mountain's west side after receiving a 911 text message from an unresponsive skier.
When they arrived, they found 34-year-old Benjamin Shelkey of Seattle, head-first into a tree well and unresponsive. Shelkey was rushed to the resort's clinic, where he passed away. The official cause of death has not yet been determined, but investigators say his injuries align with snow suffocation.
"We've had a huge snowpack this year and we've had lots of concentrated weather patterns come in. Big dumps, high pressure, big dumps, high pressure," McGarigle added. "Those are those times when you get big tree wells forming - and when things don't get a chance to consolidate, listen to that voice inside your head "
In a statement to KTVZ News, Mt. Bachelor says they extend their deepest condolences to Shelkey's family and friends and are reminding guests to take extra precautions when riding in deep snow.
Monday's tragedy becomes the sixth tree well death at the mountain in the last seven years.
Tree wells are formed when snow accumulates around the base of a tree but not under the lower hanging branches, making a pocket of unstable snow. Snow immersion suffocation can happen when a skier or snowboarder falls, usually headfirst, into a tree well or deep loose snow, and becomes immobilized.
Mt. Bachelor told KTVZ News in a statement that the most effective way to avoid this danger is to stick to open, groomed runs. They said if guests do choose to ride in other areas, they are voluntarily accepting the risk of tree wells and possible suffocation.
McGarigle says there is always risk with enjoying recreation. "Yes, we love to go out and have fun, and we all have those wonderful memories of this moment in time, in that moment in time. But yes, there is a risk in order to build those memories, to have those experiences."
For McGarigle, snow sport safety is close to his heart, after losing two of his own friends in an avalanche last month.
He's now urging added caution for the rest of this deep-snow season.
"I still think about the people that aren't here, and what they would want us to do," he said. "For those of that aren't here with us any more, the only thing I can say is, 'Thank you for being here with us while you were.'"
