Daredevil off-duty

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 650, 20 August 1996, Page 9

Daredevil off-duty

• I would like to respond to the article published in last week's Bulletin about my avalanche accident near Mt Cook. I had mixed responses to the article. Some were amazed that I, a professional ski patroller, was silly enough to be involved in an avalanche. In fact I was not employed at the time and should not have been associated with Turoa's ski patrol as this could create an irresponsible impression of the patrol. Turoa's ski patrol is a very highly-trained professional team and every precaution is taken to ensure the public and Turoa's staff are completely safe from any avalanche danger within the ski area. I am a highly-trained avalanche forecaster with 11 winters' skiing experience, six of them in the northern hemisphere and when working I have a very high standard of safety. t But when I am off work, free. skiing, where few if any have ever skied before, I sometimes have to push the limits. But in such situations I only place myself in danger. Mark Sedon Editor replies: We believe the article was accurate. You are known in Ohakune as a T uroa ski patroller and it is splitting hairs to say you were not at the time of the accident. It was obvious that you were not on duty at the time — Mt Cook is well out of Turoa's bounds! We don't accept that the article cast an unfavourable light on the patrol. It was clear that you handled the situation well, and in fact showed that a patroller has and seeks wide-ranging experience. The article was also very worthwhile in that it showed readers that the danger of avalanche can never be completely avoided, even by the most experienced of skiers. Most skiers would not only accept, but expect, that a ski patroller would spend some time extending their mountain experience. We believe Turoa skiers would be very disappointed if they were to learn that you had suffered any penalty as a patroller as a result of the publication of this article.