Durrand accident back in the news.

[funhog]

With this forthcoming book:

http://smile.amazon.com/Buried-Ken-Wylie/dp/1771600276/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412037035&sr=8-1&keywords=buried+wylie

comes this article:

http://news.nationalpost.com/how-a-massive-avalanche-changed-b-c-s-backcountry-culture-and-shattered-one-guides-life/

[James]

First, I have a strong bias in favor of Reudi, but I think most know Reudi has left no shortage of both fans and critics in his wake. Second, a long time has passed to help many people refine their opinion of what happened. Third, I was not there and obviously mistakes were made. I will be curious to hear more about this book.

[Matt J]

I just started reading the book, and the author, Ken Wiley, writes of tension with Reudi from the onset. There are a lot of interesting tidbits in a story I hadn't been that interested in before starting the book. I bet a lot of the forum regulars will eventually read it.

[thornton]

i had the random opportunity to meet one of the survivors recently of that incident and we spoke about the incident for an evening. closure is what that person admittedly needs. it seems like they may not find the type of closure that they want; the person seemed resigned to this fact, in a melancholy way. from my skimming of that article, it sounds like wiley wrote his book for the sake of closure. i hope it works for him....

[william]

Hmmm. I have skied with both Ruedi Beglinger and Ken Wylie. I skied with Ruedi in the early days before he developed the full Military Experience that made him famous . He is an extremely talented man, but he has a big ego, and I don't like the personality cult he has built around himself.
I skied with Wylie at Fairy Meadows a number of years ago, he seemed like a decent guy - I think he was just trying to build a career as a guide, which is a hard undertaking at the best of times, and then something like that happens. Obviously he is still dealing with it. I'm not sure if I will read the book or not.

[zenintheselkirks]

Having read the book regarding the accident at SME in 2003 i am confused as to why the need to bring this event back into the spotlight 11 years later. My understanding from families of the victims is that there is "mixed" feelings about this book and the timing of it. Keep in mind that there were many other people that were involved in the accident either directly or indirectly whose lives were dramatically affected by the accident and many of them have, given the time since the accident have dealt with the events that day in their own personal and private matter and the emergence of this book will only bring them back to this challenging time. As for the author and his ability/inability to deal with the "demons" that he has been carrying over the last 10 years, i find it difficult to believe that he has found some "peace" with himself at the expense of putting other down.

[Dostie]

And if I may be so bold...this article as well...

Re: above statements regarding bringing up the subject again. Closure is part of it, but I think Ken's most important message is for each of us to recognize the imperfectness of group communication and awareness of actual conditions/danger and how to that plays into avoiding or being caught in avalanches. His live presentation has far less blame and vindictiveness and made a compelling case for reassessing how group dynamics affect group safety w.r.t. avalanches.

[skooks]

Okay, I read the book, the first three chapters are worth it, the rest less so. It doesn't really add much to our knowledge of the day, but confirms everything I have heard and experienced with Mr B.
I hope Ken can deal with his demons, he always seemed like a decent sort to me.

Dostie, your book review was good.

[Sugarloafer]

I read it and agree with this assessment. Too much stuff on rock and ice climbing that just didn't add any insight to the title event.

Okay, I read the book, the first three chapters are worth it, the rest less so. It doesn't really add much to our knowledge of the day, but confirms everything I have heard and experienced with Mr B.
I hope Ken can deal with his demons, he always seemed like a decent sort to me.

Dostie, your book review was good.