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Another Inbounds Tragedy at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (Updated 1/8/2010 7:31 PM) | Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY United States | 01/06/10, by powderjunky

Update 1-8-09 8:32 PM MST

We are so sad to report that Big Wally is not going to make it.  May he rest in peace, skiing powder and joining loved ones who have already passed.  We are so grateful for his life's work of protecting people he didn't even know from the dangers of avalanches.  Be sure to thank every ski patroller that you see for risking their lives!  In these last moments of Mark's life, we know that he is surrounded by people who love him and pray for their comfort during this difficult decision.

Update 1/7/09 9:41 PM, as published in the Jackson Hole News and Guide

Family at patroller's side
For information on Mark Wolling's condition, register at www.carepages.com

By Angus M. Thuermer Jr., Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Jackson Hole News and Guide
January 8, 2010

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ski patroller Mark "Big Wally" Wolling was still listed in critical condition Thursday afternoon in the Intensive Care Unit of the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, his father said.

Wolling was buried for 10 minutes in an avalanche Wednesday morning in the resort's Cheyenne Bowl. He had no detectable pulse when found and freed, but patrollers rushed him to a clinic in Teton Village, where medical workers got his heart pumping, resort officials said.

"About all we can do is hope for his recovery," Wolling's father, Spencer, said in a telephone interview Thursday. "As far as we can tell, he's getting excellent care."

The ski patroller has been in a coma that doctors deepened, said Mike Fischer, one of three Jackson Hole friends who have been with him since his accident. Fischer spoke in a telephone interview.

Friends have set up a Web site through www.carepages.com/ that provides medical updates. Users must register to read the updates, and they also can post messages to Wolling and his family.

In addition to his father, Wolling was visited Thursday by his mother, Mildred, and sister, Sue.

"We saw him today and he looks good," Spencer Wolling said.

Doctors have kept Wolling cool and sedated as part of their treatment, Fischer said. By today, they anticipate warming him up, weaning him from drugs and initiating neurological tests, he said.

An obvious worry centers on possible oxygen deprivation before Wolling's revival, his father said. In addition to the 10-minute burial, the patroller spent six minutes in a rescue toboggan and another eight minutes in the clinic before medical workers detected a pulse, according to information resort officials provided.

"We just don't know if the loss of oxygen impaired any of his functions," Spencer Wolling said.

The anticipated neurological tests will not be a definitive indication of potential recovery, Fischer said doctors told him.

"They can't just put a machine on and find out," he said.

He said there appeared to be no significant physical trauma.

Spencer Wolling said friends and family may not get answers immediately.

"We may have to wait a few days," he said.

Wolling was on routine avalanche hazard reduction duties Wednesday when he was caught in the slide. The mountain was not yet open to the public when the avalanche ran.

Wolling had thrown one hand charge on the slope in Cheyenne Bowl without provoking a slide. He skied on to the slope, followed by his patrol partner. He then threw two more hand charges, which fractured the slope above them.

Wolling's partner clung to a tree. After the slide, he found Wolling in debris well down the 1,000-foot-long avalanche path using a radio transceiver. Wolling was uncovered from under about 6 feet of snow.

Update 1/7/2010  3:06 MST
An Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center spokesperson on Thursday afternoon said avalanche victim Mark Wolling remained in critical condition, meaning the patients vital signs are unstable and there are major complications, the spokesperson explained.


Jackson Hole, Wyoming, January 6, 2010 4.00pm MST

As stated previously at approximately 8:26am this morning routine early morning avalanche hazard reduction work by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) Ski Patrol triggered an avalanche on the upper mountain.

This incident took place prior to the lifts being open to the public. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort received 10 inches of snow in the previous 24 hours and substantial amounts in the previous week.

Further Information regarding the avalanche site:
Length of Avalanche Path - Approx: 1000 feet
Crown Height (Max): 42 inches. 3.5 feet
Crown Length: 130 feet wide
Avy Classification (1-5): R3D3
Cliff Band Height: 25-30 feet
Slope Angle: 34 Degrees

The next JHMR statement regarding this incident will be made if we hear any change to the current condition of veteran ski patroller Mark Wolling who was caught in the slide. Mark "Big Wally" Wolling is hospitalized at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

After two tragic avalanche incidents last year, sources are reporting that yet another avalanche accident has occurred at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. When we contacted the mountain an employee was quoted as saying he could not deny or confirm the death of a ski patroller, Mark "Big Wally" Wolling.

The resort offered the following account of the accident:

Members of ski patrol were conducting routine avalanche hazard reduction on the Cheyenne Bowl Route at approximately 9,350 feet. Wolling threw and exploded a hand charge from Rendezvous Trail into Cheyenne Bowl with no result.

He and his partner ski cut the area below and stopped above a cliff. Wolling threw two more hand charges. These exploded simultaneously and caused the snow to fracture above where both stood.

Wolling's partner, whom the resort did not name, was able to grab a tree. Wolling was swept over the cliff and down the slope into the bowl.

Ski patrollers conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and administered an automated external defibrillator while readying for transport to the village clinic. The AED is the mechanism that did not detect a pulse and hence did not administer a shock.

The slope had not been open to the public this season. It had been visited and bombed by ski patrol earlier this winter, however.

At the time of transport to St. John's Medical Center, Wolling was exhibiting vital signs.

St. John's Medical Center reported at 12:35 that Wolling would be transported via fixed-wing ambulance to Idaho Falls.

Wolling has been on the patrol since 1989.

"[Wolling] is an amazing person who has been on the JHMR team since 1978, he's definitely part of our family." Blann said in a prepared statement.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is operating all lifts except for the Aerial Tram, Sublette and Thunder quad which will be closed for the remainder of the day.

 "Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has established standards and protocols for minimizing the risk of avalanche that are based on the current weather and snowpack conditions," the resort said in its statement. "Jackson Hole Mountain Resort receives over 400 inches of snow annually and is dedicated to making the skiing and riding as safe as possible for our guests. Avalanche conditions change hour-by-hour and day-by-day. JHMR Ski Patrol continuously monitors elements of the weather and snowpack conditions 24 hours a day throughout the winter and uses this information to continually assess potential hazards."

The next resort statement on the incident was scheduled for 4 p.m. today.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark and his family and we will keep you all in the loop as we hear more.