Any of our readers who are somewhat serious about skiing are probably aware of just how crazy and dangerous avalanches can be. This footage of a couple of Australian-sounding skiers caught in a slide in Switzerland is f*cking terrifying. One second you’re having the time of your life cutting lines you’ve never imagined, the next you’re frantically trying to search for your friend buried under two-three feet of powder.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOnBRguDZ1I&w=640]
Here’s what the guy buried had to say about the pants pooping experience [source]:
As the snow piled higher and higher, It became darker and darker until I was surrounded by an eerie black silence, broken only by the sound of my slow breathing and racing heartbeat. “Okay” I thought to myself; “You’re dead.” I had a shovel and probe in my backpack and I was wearing a transceiver, however, the others were only carrying a shovel and probe. I was convinced that they would not find me in time. Unable to move I focused on slowing my breathing, relaxing and conserving oxygen. I felt bizarrely emotionless and wondered for a moment what death would be like.
Then I remembered that I was reaching upwards with my left arm, ski pole still attached. I tried to wiggle my hand and I felt a ‘pop’ as the top 5cm of the pole broke the surface of the snow. Suddenly emotion flooded through me as I realised that Andrew, Dan and Leonard would be able to locate me under the snow if they saw the tip of the pole. However I still forced myself to remain calm as I sat in wait.
