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FRIDAY February 13, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels January 15, 2004 Skiing outside the lines By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings The recent rescue of a lost skier has Mt. Ashland Ski Area staff reminding the public to be aware of the potential dangers of the winter environment. An unidentified ski patrolman trains with a volunteer accident victim on Mount Ashland. Mount Ashland Ski Association | Submitted photo Northern California resident Martin Wilson strayed outside the ski area's boundaries on Christmas Day and was found by ski patrol members in forested terrain on the mountain's south face that night. "We're a remote mountain located in a lot of miles of undeveloped forest land," said Doug Volk, ski patrol supervisor. "People need to stay within the boundaries. If you do go out, make sure you're with someone who is experienced." He said he does not believe Wilson - who could not be reached for comment - intended to leave the ski area. A sharp-eyed skier who notified staff of tracks wandering away from the ski area and the quick actions of ski patrol members all contributed to the eventual happy ending. Ski staff first realized something was wrong when Wilson's son reported his father had not returned to their vehicle to drive home at the end of the day, according to Jeff Hanson, ski area general manager. "When someone is reported missing, we take it very seriously," Volk said. "We get a detailed description of the person - their individual traits, their personality, any equipment they have and what they might do." Patrollers searched the ski area's boundaries to look for tracks leaving the developed area, and also searched inside the boundaries in case Wilson was injured and couldn't make it back to the lodge, according to Volk. It can be difficult to find individual tracks on the south face because many people ski and snowboard from the top of the mountain down onto undeveloped U.S. Forest Service land. The area also is frequented by cross-country skiers, Hanson said. The developed ski area is on the mountain's north face. But experienced skier Andy Bayliss, an Ashland resident, was cross-country skiing and noticed unusual tracks on the south face heading east, away from the ski area. That helped the ski patrol narrow down the search from an otherwise dauntingly large area, according to Hanson. "Andy Bayliss took the time to report it and we were able to send someone to look, knowing that we were likely looking on the south side," he said. Searchers eventually found tracks on a snowed-in Forest Service road. Wilson had followed the road, but then abandoned his ski gear and began heading downhill through steep terrain in the Cottonwood Creek drainage, Volk said. That path would not lead to the Mt. Ashland Access Road or the ski area, but only into remote forest. After sending up flares, searchers made voice contact with Wilson at about 8 p.m., located him, and were able to provide food, fluids and regular boots to replace his ski boots. "He was in very good condition. He was a very rugged individual. He was well dressed and had quite a bit of wherewithal," said Volk, noting Wilson was preparing to burrow down for the night. The party returned to the patrol room at the ski area at about 10:30 p.m., he said. Doug Knudson, who runs the ski lift department and is familiar with the terrain, and ski patrollers Zach Kauffman, Nima Azerbehi and Taylor Siegel aided in the search, according to Volk. The 45-member ski patrol is made up of a mix of full-time, part-time and volunteer patrollers. On holidays and weekends, 10 to 15 keep watch over the mountain, while five to eight patrol on weekdays, Volk said. Whether Wilson could have made it out without the help of the searchers is a matter for speculation, he said. People vary widely in their ability to withstand the alpine environment, with some able to survive for days and others unable to last one night, according to Hanson. Volk advised skiers and snowboarders who do not want to stray outside the ski area to pay attention to signs marking boundaries. Anybody who leaves the area should be prepared for harsh conditions. "If there's any question about getting back out, take food, water, clothing, a tent and a sleeping bag," he said. Hanson said that it is easy for a skier or snowboarder to travel farther downhill than they realize and then have trouble climbing back up. Whether enjoying the snow inside or outside the boundaries, tell another person where you are going and when you plan to return, Volk advised. "Once you leave the boundaries, you're pretty much on your own," Volk said. "We will come out and look for you, but if we don't know you're out there, we won't know to look." DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: A new improved archive search is coming! Look for it in mid-February! .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - ODOT Road Cams