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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2020)
14 Wednesday, June 24, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon AVALANCHE: Preparedness is key to survival Continued from page 1 in sight, Rudinsky felt the ground beneath her feet giv- ing way; without warning she was suddenly being car- ried down the mountain in an avalanche. Rudinsky was approxi- mately 10-15 feet above Lowman when the avalanche was triggered. Suddenly she was caught up in the rush of dry and light snow four feet deep. An immediate attempt to anchor herself with her ice pick failed and she was sud- denly <sucked under= and tumbling down the hourglass feature of the slope. Lowman reached out to try and grab her as she was carried by, but she was just out of reach. This was a moment of overwhelming despair, yet Lowman knew he needed to stay focused on where Dani would end up so that he could dig her out. Seconds later a second avalanche was trig- gered. Lowman9s position by a rime ice ledge offered some protection but he was still carried downhill until he could self-arrest and free himself. Amazingly, he was able to turn on his beacon while still sliding, something he knew would be critical to their rescue. Rudinsky was still being carried downhill when she felt herself suddenly somer- saulting in the air after being launched off a rock band. After a hard landing back on the ice, she immediately realized she had sustained a debilitating injury. Despite the velocity of the slide, she had been able to use her arms to form a barrier around her head, creating an air pocket that would remain when she finally stopped at the bottom 4something that she knew could keep her alive while being dug out. In the first moments after the avalanche concluded, Lowman searched for any sign of where Rudinsky could be buried, hoping he would see a glove or something else penetrating the surface. He soon spotted something 500 feet below that looked like a rocky formation 4 but he quickly realized it was actu- ally his partner. And then he heard her voice calling. Adrenaline and focus helped him safely scramble down the debris path to where she was, and after catching his breath, utilized his EMT training to begin assessing her condition. Thanks in part to a shallow snow depth, as the avalanche spread out, the extreme event had a very dif- ferent ending than it might have had4 a fact that both Rudinsky and Lowman are mindfully aware of. At noon the call for help was made and initial respond- ers were there within an hour. Extensive training and preparation all played a part in both Rudinsky and Lowman knowing what to do while trying to survive what they hoped would never hap- pen. They made the decision that day not to rope up to one another after assessing con- ditions and it was a decision that turned out to be poten- tially lifesaving. Had they been roped, both Rudinsky and Lowman would have been pulled under together and the outcome could have been very different. They also took their avalanche gear despite seasonal timing making it seem unnecessary. Their Garmin, cell phones and battery charges were all critical equipment as well and helped them call for help as well as communicate an accurate location to the res- cue teams. Both Rudinsky and Lowman had previously spent time on mountain res- cue teams so their respect and gratitude for all who provided aide came on mul- tiple levels. After coming directly off of another criti- cal mountain rescue, teams had no chance to recuper- ate before responding to this second call for help. There were five teams involved and first on scene was Portland Mountain Rescue, fol- lowed by American Medical Response (AMR), Timberline Ski Patrol (to ski Rudinsky down), Crag Rats (helping with the anchors to haul her up), and the Deputy assigned to that area. Despite fatigue, team members offered expert care and communicated that this could have happened to any- one. Reassurance from those with a high level of technical expertise and experience on the mountain brought great comfort. After an assessment from AMR, It was determined that Rudinsky could be safely taken down the mountain without their advanced medi- cal involvement, however they stayed on scene in sup- port. Preparations were made for stability in the descent, and 10 hours after the ava- lanche began, Rudinsky and Lowman were safely back to their vehicle. Fortunately, Rudinsky9s ankle injury allowed them to drive back to Central Oregon on their own to seek medical intervention. Do you know your agent? Do you understand your policy? Are you overpaying? Call or come in today for a free Farmers Friendly Review 541-588-6245 • 257 S. Pine St., #101 www.farmersagent.com/jrybka AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BUSINESS Hope for a child. Change for a nation. Conie Miracle is an 8-year-old girl whose father passed away, leaving her mother to care for the children on her own. Conie dreams of becoming a nurse. Sponsor Conie today at HopeAfricaKids.com Your monthly gift of $39 will provide Conie with school fees, uniforms, shoes, food, medical care, and the hope that is found only in Jesus Christ. Your sponsorship pledge makes an impact on your child’s life that is both immediately transformational and eternal. Learn more about Sisters-based Hope Africa International at HopeAfricaKids.com. This ad sponsored by The Nugget Newspaper. PHOTO BY SHELBY LOWMAN Danielle Rudinsky, moments before the slope gave way. After time recovering both physically and emo- tional from their ordeal, both Rudinsky and Lowman are mindful of several take- aways. They both have an even greater understanding of how important the choice of an experienced climbing partner is and are grateful to have had each other in those critical moments. Thorough preparation is essential. Lowman shares this advice: <Prep for what- ever objective you9re going through, and if you think you9ve prepped enough, go over it and do it again. Overprepare for any climb you are going on.= Rudinsky9s broadened awareness is similar and speaks to many aspects of life: <Research, research, research, research... small and big.= As Rudinsky considers the life she now lives, she brings it back to her time in IEE and the impact teacher Rand Runco and other com- munity supporters had in her life. From an early age, she was given the opportunity to explore, learn about and survive in natural spaces. Then, through Runco9s focus on community involvement, outdoor experiential learn- ing objectives and building a solid, successful and expe- rienced volunteer base, she was able to identify opportu- nities that may not have been realized otherwise. IEE became a catalyst built upon community val- ues, integrity and possibilities that empowered her to reach for her dreams and build a life of passion and purpose. Reflecting on the value of IEE, she said, <Some things we need to protect and keep alive.=