Avalanches a reminder of danger lurking in the snow
By Andrea Castillo, Benjamin Oreskes and Tony Barboza, Los Angeles Times
MAMMOTH LAKES — One day after an avalanche roared down Mammoth Mountain, danger was hardly on the mind of snowboarder Caleb Hill as he carved through fresh powder under clear skies Sunday.
Like hordes of other visitors to the Sierra Nevada resort, Hill, 24, was undeterred by avalanches at two of California’s largest ski resorts that closed runs and triggered rescue operations in recent days. The Colorado native was more frustrated by the long lines and lift closures keeping him from the slopes as Mammoth reopened Sunday, saying the risk of an avalanche was a fact of life.
“It’s a reminder that just because you’re at a resort doesn’t mean you’re safe,” Hill said. “Powder is forgiving but it’s also dangerous.”