On the surface, this is a simple and happy story. A snowboarder at Loveland Pass in CO got caught in an avalanche and luckily survived. He was carried down the slope and ended up buried up to his waist – right-side up. Thank goodness.

But watch the clip below. The story says the boarder is “an experienced backcountry rider” whose “preparation saved him.” This, despite the fact that he was carrying no avy gear (no beacon, shovel or probe).

WOW. I’m not sure what gets me more – the painfully sloppy news story, or the fact that the victim considers himself an “experienced backcountry rider” whose “preparation saved him.”

Dumb luck is what saved him, and this news story should have said so. At least avy gear is now “on his Christmas list.”

Before you venture into the backcountry, get educated, get your gear and no how to use it.