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Surviving Double Avalanches: Skier’s Miraculous Tale

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Ken Scott, a seasoned skier and ski industry veteran, woke up to an exciting day in the Rocky Mountain town of Mullan, Idaho, on January 7, 2020. The local radio station announced that the nearby Silver Mountain Resort was blanketed with almost a foot and a half of fresh snow. As an avid skier who spent over 100 days a year on the slopes, Scott couldn’t resist the lure of this fresh powder.

His wife, Ruth, also an enthusiastic skier, had other plans that day, so Scott set off alone. Upon arriving at Silver Mountain, he ran into his friend and former ski instructor, Rebecca Hurlen-Patano. The two friends were thrilled at the prospect of skiing in the fresh snow.

“Can you believe it?” she said as they changed into their boots. “Sixteen inches! Are you ready?”

Scott and Hurlen-Patano spent the next hour carving fresh tracks on various runs under a lightly overcast sky. During their ski lift ride, they noticed that the 6,200-foot Wardner Peak, home to the challenging expert-level trail named 16-to-1, was now open. The trail had been closed all season due to avalanche concerns, but that morning, patrols had set off 13 explosive charges to clear loose snow from its upper slopes.

The pair, along with other regulars at Silver Mountain, were excited to be the first to ski the steep, powder-rich run this season. Upon reaching the slope’s crest, Hurlen-Patano looked back at Scott, her excitement mirrored in his wide grin. She pointed her skis downhill and took off.

Almost immediately, the snow beneath her gave way. “Avalanche!” she yelled to Scott, who was not far behind.

He responded, fear in his voice, “This is happening!”

In an instant, both were swept downhill by heavy slabs of snow, carrying them some 500 feet down the mountain. Hurlen-Patano felt the snow engulf her, while Scott was tumbled around like clothes in a dryer.

When he finally came to rest, he was almost completely buried, but he could see daylight and move his right hand and forearm. He cleared snow from his face and told himself, “It’s a shallow burial. I can breathe. I am alive. Stay composed.”

Hurlen-Patano managed to pull herself out of the snow and began calling out for Scott and their fellow skiers. Scott, though unable to move much, felt confident that he could survive. He cleared a breathing space above his face and focused on staying calm.

Suddenly, the air around Hurlen-Patano exploded with the sound of a second avalanche. This one was much bigger, and she was once again buried in the snow. When she managed to free herself, she realized that the landscape had been completely transformed, and there were no signs of Scott or the other skiers.

Scott, hearing the roar of the second avalanche, thought he was doomed. The snow was so heavy that he couldn’t move anything but his eyelids and toes. He was completely immobile, and the breathing space he’d cleared was gone. He knew his chances of survival were slim, but he tried to stay calm and focus on his breathing.

Hurlen-Patano called for help, and soon Silver Mountain’s patrols and skiers were heading to the avalanche site with shovels and ten-foot poles. She directed the rescuers to where she thought her friends were buried.

Scott, trapped in the snow, felt a slight pressure on his right hip. He hoped it was a rescue probe, but after a few minutes, the pressure was gone. He felt himself fading away.

Suddenly, he felt a vibration and the sound of shovels hitting snow. He started shouting, hoping that anyone standing above would hear. After five minutes, rescuers dug through the snow and uncovered Scott’s face. He took in deep breaths of fresh air and saw the smiling faces of his rescuers.

He had survived two avalanches.

As his arms were freed, he spotted Hurlen-Patano among his rescuers and pulled her down on top of him. “I can’t let go,” he said, still hugging her.

While Ken Scott, Bill Fuzak, and Warren Kays survived, three others, including Carl Humphreys, lost their lives. Scott and Hurlen-Patano have since received counseling for post-traumatic stress syndrome. Despite the traumatic experience, Scott’s love for skiing remained undiminished, and he was back on Silver Mountain just nine days after his rescue.

Our Thoughts

This riveting account of Ken Scott’s survival against two avalanches is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the importance of preparedness. As a seasoned skier, Scott’s experience, presence of mind, and resilience played a significant role in his survival.

However, the unfortunate loss of three lives underlines the inherent risks associated with extreme sports and outdoor activities. It’s a reminder that while the thrill of fresh powder may be irresistible, safety should always be paramount.

The incident also highlights the importance of community and teamwork in the face of adversity. Hurlen-Patano’s quick thinking to call for help and guide rescuers, coupled with the swift response of the Silver Mountain team, were crucial in the rescue efforts.

Scott’s return to the slopes just nine days after the incident is testament to his indomitable spirit and love for skiing. His story is a powerful reminder that while we must respect the might of nature, we should not let fear hinder our passions.

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Survival Stories

Rep. Mace’s Capitol Encounter Sparks Controversy and Legal Battle

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James McIntyre, a 33-year-old from Illinois, has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge following an incident involving Rep. Nancy Mace on Capitol grounds. The alleged encounter occurred on a Tuesday night, leading to McIntyre’s arrest for reportedly assaulting a government official.

The incident unfolded when McIntyre approached Rep. Mace and offered to shake her hand. According to a police affidavit, two witnesses observed the interaction and described McIntyre as a man in his forties. When Mace extended her hand, McIntyre allegedly clasped it with both hands and “shook her arm up and down in an exaggerated, aggressive hand shaking motion.”

Witnesses managed to identify McIntyre through an internet posting, providing his name and photo to the U.S. Capitol Police. Mace corroborated the witnesses’ accounts, stating that she attempted to withdraw her hand but was unable to do so. She reported feeling intimidated and experienced pain in her wrist, arm, and shoulder following the encounter.

During the aggressive handshake, McIntyre reportedly stated, “Trans youth deserve advocacy.” Mace refrained from responding during the incident, later expressing her shock and discomfort.

After the event, Mace took to social media to inform her followers of the situation.
“I was physically accosted tonight on Capitol grounds over my fight to protect women. Capitol police have arrested him,” Mace shared in a post on X. “All the violence and threats keep proving our point. Women deserve to be safe. Your threats will not stop my fight for women!”

She continued to discuss the incident on social media, revealing in one post that she had spoken with President-elect Trump.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for checking in on me and standing up for women,” Mace wrote. “We cannot wait to see you back in the White House.”

In another post, she shared an image of herself with her arm in a sling, highlighting the physical impact of the encounter.

The incident comes amidst Mace’s outspoken opposition to transgender individuals using bathrooms that do not align with their biological gender. She has been particularly vocal against Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, a Democrat from Delaware, using the women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill.

Mace has reported receiving death threats and feels she is being “unfairly targeted” for her stance. Her proposed resolution, H.R. 1579, aims to restrict bathroom use in the House to facilities matching one’s biological sex.

Following McIntyre’s arraignment in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, a magistrate judge ordered his release. Meanwhile, Mace’s office has not provided an update on her condition.


How should incidents involving the safety of government officials influence discussions on personal safety and gun ownership rights?

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Unseen Advantage: Law Enforcement’s Rapid Adoption of Optics

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In the world of law enforcement and survival, the ability to quickly and accurately assess a situation can make all the difference. This is why the rapid adoption of optics by law enforcement agencies is hardly surprising. These tools provide a wealth of visual information, aiding in making more informed decisions. A key factor in the selection of these optics is the window size, but it seems that co-witness sights, which can sometimes occupy half of the entire optic window, often don’t receive the attention they deserve.

“Without question, the speed with which LE agencies have adopted optics is testament to the advantage they offer: more visual information that yields better decisions.”

Interestingly, suppressor height sights are frequently paired with optics. To comprehend why this particular sight remains a popular choice when selecting co-witnessing sights, we must journey back in time. Around 2009, shooters, both professional and non-professional, began to repurpose a solution initially designed for Close Quarters Battle (CQB) rifle work for use on pistols.

The Trijicon RMR, a compact electronic optic, was a welcome alternative to the larger optics typically seen on competition pistols. Its smaller size offered more holster options, less likelihood of snagging in the field, and a more robust window and housing. As a result, it addressed many of the issues raised by professional users, leading to a shift towards an optics sighting solution within the firearms community.

“The smaller footprint meant more holster options, less to get caught on while in the field, and a less delicate window and housing.”

This shift was spearheaded by individuals in the military, law enforcement, defensive firearms instruction, and competition professionals. With the introduction of these optics, performance improved, and new shooters were able to develop accuracy and speed more quickly. The instinctual focal plane response to stress, which previously had to be trained out, could now be utilized as an asset by Firearms Instructors working with students who had optics on their pistols.

“Performance increased, accuracy and speed developed sooner with new shooters, the intuitive and instinctual focal plane response to stress no longer needed to be trained out—and instead, the threat-focus could now be an asset used by Firearms Instructors working with students who had optics on their pistols.”

As the popularity of optics grew, the aftermarket and firearms manufacturers responded by supporting this “new” sighting system. However, one critical component of the system was often overlooked: the back-up sights. This oversight highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to firearm optics, one that considers all elements of the sighting system to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Our Thoughts

The adoption of optics in law enforcement is a testament to the technology’s effectiveness. It’s no surprise that tools that enhance visual information, thus enabling better decision-making, have become a staple in the arsenal of law enforcement agencies.

The rise of the Trijicon RMR is particularly noteworthy. Its compact size and robust design addressed many of the practical concerns of professional users, leading to a broader acceptance of optics as a sighting solution.

The benefits of these optics extend beyond their practicality. They have brought about a shift in the training of new shooters, turning the instinctual focal plane response to stress into an asset rather than a hurdle to overcome. This has undoubtedly contributed to the improved performance observed among new shooters.

However, the focus on the main optic often results in the neglect of back-up sights. This is a reminder that a comprehensive approach to firearm optics is necessary to ensure optimal performance and safety. After all, a tool is only as good as the system supporting it.

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Mental Resilience: The Overlooked Key to Survival Success

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In the realm of survival, we often focus on the physical aspects: the gear, the skills, the terrain. Yet, one crucial element often overlooked is our mental health. As a seasoned survivalist and a licensed mental health therapist, I’ve experienced firsthand the importance of mental resilience in a crisis.

I recall an incident during my first exploration of Red Rock Canyon. The vast, humbling landscape was a sight to behold, but it was also a formidable challenge. Despite my preparations, I found myself lost on a wild game trail, far from the intended path.

“Okay, no big deal,” I reassured myself. “I’ll just retrace my steps.”

But the creeping sense of panic was undeniable. I was low on water, surrounded by thick brush, and far from any signal. It was in this moment that my mental health training became as crucial as my survival skills.

“If anyone can figure this out, I can.” I thought. Or rather, tried to convince myself….

The human brain has a built-in survival mechanism known as the fight-flight-freeze response. When faced with danger, our heart rate increases, our pupils dilate, and our breathing becomes rapid. While these physiological changes can enhance our strength and speed, they can also lead to panic attacks, which can be detrimental in a survival scenario.

Soldiers and first responders are trained to manage this response, and so can civilians. Understanding mental health first aid can be a lifesaver in personal emergencies or when trying to calm someone else in a crisis.

“Okay…” I thought, “let’s just backtrack a little. See if I can’t find the main trail.”

I remembered the acronym S.T.O.P., taught in wilderness survival classes: Sit, Think, Observe, Plan. I sat down, focused on my breathing, and began to regain control of my racing thoughts.

“Breathe.” I thought. “In through the nose, slow. SLOW. Hold it for a few seconds. Now release through the mouth even slower. Pause. Repeat.”

I knew I had to control my thoughts to improve my feelings and make good decisions. Catastrophic thinking like “I’m gonna die” or “What if a rattlesnake bites me?” could trigger panic mode.

“Okay, what do we know?” I thought. “I know I can’t be too far off-course, no more than a couple miles. I know a few people knew generally where I was going (but not the specific trailhead) and that I expected to be back by nightfall. I know I have survival training and some kit with me that would help me make it through the night if needed. I can do this.”

After observing my surroundings and assessing my resources, I made a plan. I decided to head in the direction of what I believed to be a road, using a large branch to tap the ground in front of me to ward off any potential rattlesnakes.

In the end, I made it back to my vehicle without having to spend the night in the desert. The experience was a stark reminder of the importance of mental health in survival situations.

In the aftermath of a crisis, people will be in panic mode. Knowing how to guide someone through the stresses of a crisis can help mitigate some of the negative effects of traumatic events.

First, ensure the scene is safe. Then, assess the group, find helpers, and triage the situation. Ground the person by asking them to describe their surroundings and their feelings. Encourage slow, deliberate breathing and validate their experiences.

Long-term effects of repeated activation of the fight-flight-freeze response can include panic attacks, nightmares, and flashbacks. If you’re prone to these symptoms and find the techniques described here aren’t helping, consider seeking help from a licensed therapist.

Remember, it’s not a matter of being weak or strong. Some of the bravest individuals I’ve worked with have sought therapy for their symptoms. It takes great strength and bravery to ask for help.

Since my experience in Red Rock Canyon, I’ve incorporated mental health first aid and awareness into my survival teachings. I’ve also adjusted my approach to hiking, ensuring I communicate my exact route and expected return time, carry more water, and stay focused on the trail.

Survival isn’t just about the physical. It’s about the mental too. And with the right skills and mindset, we can navigate any crisis with resilience.

Our Thoughts

This compelling account underscores the often overlooked but critical role mental health plays in survival scenarios. The author’s experience in Red Rock Canyon drives home the importance of not just physical preparation, but mental preparedness as well.

The fight-flight-freeze response, while instinctual, can be detrimental if not properly managed. As survivalists, we should heed the author’s advice and learn to control this response, much like soldiers and first responders are trained to do.

The S.T.O.P. method is a useful tool in regaining control of our thoughts and feelings in high-stress situations. It’s not just about physical survival skills, it’s about mental resilience and clarity of thought.

Moreover, the importance of understanding mental health first aid cannot be overstated. It can be a lifesaver, not just for ourselves, but for others in crisis.

Ultimately, the author’s story is a reminder that survival isn’t just about the gear, the terrain, or the skills — it’s about the mind too. And in the face of adversity, with the right mindset, we can navigate through any crisis with resilience.

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