I watched the entire video... I cant understand how you remained so calm. Incredible self-control. And to the rescuer.... you made a difference. A life saved. How very wonderful!
Being a big guy like I am 6'7" 265lbs and very muscular, people are amazed that my kryptonite is tight spaces. I have been shot twice during 4 deployments to Iraq and I still cruised right thru that, but to be honest, I think I would have completely lost it being buried like that with no ability to move and the constriction that he must have felt around his body. I have no doubt I would have gone into full panic/anxiety mode. Just thinking about it and watching it gave me little body tremors. How did that dude hold it together like that??? Either he is a total badass or perhaps he made peace with the fact he was going to die and if the guy got him dug out, then it was just a "life bonus". I would even be freaking out if I was the guy trying to dig him out because, to me, other than falling thousands of feet to my death, being buried alive would be a very close 2nd to being the worst way to go. LOLOLOL. I can barely type this as I rewatch the video.
I've seen 3 accidents like this, maybe skiers and snowboarders both should carry a GPS beacon or emergency beacon around their neck, something like that. The rescuer here, that shovel surprised me and I'd guess he had several other useful items in that backpack, great idea!
As a snowboarder myself, I just absolutely wept at this story. The fact that his friends just took off in front of him and did not once glance back to see if he was still catching up with them. The fact that this skier just so happen to take the same exact path down the mountain as he did, and was aware enough to see the board. I just...I am still in shock and awe of this story.
the friends did notice! it says in an article that they were freaking about him on the radio! When he hit the tree and fell into the snow, it knocked his radio away!
@@cap-lock9432 As a back mountain boarder, I go with a group of friends and we are constantly yelling at each other on the mountain, and looking over our shoulders to make sure we aren't getting too ahead of the pack for safety. That's what I meant by that.
@@pandagomoo As someone who read the comment, you said they didn't notice and pretty much called them careless without any base "did not once glance back" were you part of the group to know that? Even if they had, they wouldn't have been able to get back up anyways, if you saw the original clip of this you saw how hard it was for the rescuer to scale the probably 10 feet between them through the snow, even if they had checked over their shoulders or yelled they would have been helpless, he wouldn't have heard them, they wouldn't have been able to locate him in time. Not to mention that the rescuers partner is out of sight seconds into the original clip. An extremely unfortunate accident that couldn't have had a better ending, I was also brought to tears watching the original clip and I'm glad to have seen the two talking afterwards.
I have been berried before and got rescued and this video just brings chills and tears to my eyes, the second someone gets the snow off your face is a feeling I cannot ever explain, be safe out there and have fun!
I lost a good friend of mine at kirkwood California in 1991 who died exactly how this guy was trapped. There was 5 of us in our group 2 skiers and 3 snowboarder in 3ft to 5ft of fresh powder one of the snowboarders that day was legend shuan palmer. We all charging the mountain on chair 6 it was dumping. We got to chair lift and there was only 4 of us we waited and our friend who I have not named so to not bring painfully memories to loved ones. He was found after 7hrs and 15 ski patrols, search and rescue crew a small group of locals who volunteered to ski with the 4 of us tracing the lines where we started together that morning. Sadly we skied right over him run after run only until someone got a glimpse of his board. A scene I will never forget. Soooo stoked that this one in a million chance this guy seen his board is absolutely incredible you are a true hero.
Wow. Not a fun way to die. 😢 Sorry you lost your friend. Soul is eternal. 🧖🏼. My son Died in 2011 & I see him in my dreams. 🌷🌸🌷Life always follows death, fortunately. 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
@@nicksmith9276 the snow is lightly packed since it was so fresh, if it had been a day passed since it snowed and that snow settled, he wouldve been gone for sure in a couple minutes
I can't imagine just being buried alive upside down in ice and just knowing the chance of being found before you die are so slim you just have to know you're going to die. And then someone starts digging around you.
🤧 As a ski patrol veteran, this rescuer performed a textbook rescue. Amazing skill and composure during a life-changing experience. You've taught so many the realities of back country risks and the necessary, life-saving preparedness.🏅Also impressed with your skiing and strength.👍
I think anyone who has had an accident of any kind can relate with the moment you see that first person that comes to rescue you. It's a very intense moment, soul to soul, heart to heart, that one never forgets.
Idk if this counts but as a kid I didn't swim over the surface, just under. So one day I am on the pool at a part that was too deep for me so I swam under to get to the shallow part but I surfaced and still could barely touch the ground, so I started panicking, jumping to get to the edge of the pool but I was running out of air, and I notice there's a dude's back closer than the edge f the pool. So I start jumpig towards him until I'm able to just hold on to his back to catch my breath, neither I nor the dude said anything, I just held on to catch my breath for a minute and continued swimung towards the edge. Idk if he even realized, but he likely saved my life for just standing there lol
God bless you Francis. You saved that man and you saved his loved ones from some serious heartache. He would have been missing until around July or so.
Aye. Amazingly lucky. The snow buried him nearly completely - but miraculously just a few inches were left uncovered, enough to just see his snowboard. And also very lucky he got buried with his hand near his mouth - which allowed him to form a small air pocket. Fate surely aligned in his favour that day.
@@crazyhai8155 The fact that he was trapped speaks ill of his destiny, but if we take into account the fact that he met his savior, I imagine that the end of this was to find himself after something so "almost" tragic
“You saved a life today. You saved my life.” I swear I always choke up hearing those words. Just thinking about how someone can get in a situation like that and feel completely helpless. It’s traumatizing. Truly hope these two stay friends for good and hope his relationship stays thriving. 🙏🏼
Wow, so much of the public's focus is on avalanches and collisions and yet these tree wells in deep snow conditions are just unbelievably dangerous and incredibly lethal. He was lucky to have been spotted and of course kudos to the skier for being equipped and knowing how to respond with urgency and yet with a calm, steady hand...and of course, always good to see some brotherhood between skiers and boarders.
@@TH-cam_deletes_my_comments Yeah it is a hollow spot / spot where the snow is very low density surrounded by higher density snow. Invariably, when falling into one, the skier / boarder goes in head first and their skis or boards get locked into thicker snow above them and snow sort of falls into the cavity where the skiers head and torso lands....they get locked into a position and really can't breathe at all.
@@nlabanok Well someone was looking out for dude that day... Glad he's okay... Thanks for being informative I was looking around for the explanation... Never knew that was a potential danger for snow enthusiast...
@@TH-cam_deletes_my_comments Well if you imagine how snow falls around a tree it's quite easy to imagine. The branches hold the snow up, but as soon as something heavier gets on them, they bend down and you fall down while being burried.
I mean... there's a reason why these places are out of bounds, they're NOT meant to be skiied on, this would never happen inside designated areas. I do a lot of skiing myself, but I never go out of bounds because you never know when stuff like this happens.
So many people think that they could do so much if only they had a second chance. This guy got one. I hope he's living his second chance to the fullest.
man these kind of thing makes me tear up.. i can't imagine the thoughts running through his head. i know he was praying to God in that moment and when this rescuer shows up.. the amount of overwhelming relief.. just absolutely incredible.
So many news stations covering this story, and Not a SINGLE ONE mentions the word "Tree Well" which is a shame. It'd be a great time for both a hero story, AND a lesson to newer snowboarders/skiiers.
@@MegaChris456 You're right, it's a passing comment, but it IS the word "Tree Well" which is what I asked for Dx. But yea, the idea was to raise awareness about the risks of tree wells. They kill too many snowboarders every year.
For hiking? Nah. Be experienced and prepared for an unexpected overnight and have a satellite communicator with you. Done it many times. Not talking about mountaineering.
@Remi Russo I never understood that phrase. Most of my dead family members died accompanied by other family members or at a hospital surrounded by medics. If you mean alone, as in you being the only one to die, I guess it makes more sense, as long as you don't decide to take anyone else with you
The point of skiing _together_ in deep pow on steep terrain is to never let this happen. We all want to charge without stopping but you simply can’t without excellent visual and audible communication. Mission fail. What an incredibly lucky man.
@@junioraltamontent.7582 Yeah I thought about that. I've got an emergency satellite beacon in my avy bag waist pouch and a radio mic mounted on my shoulder strap. But no matter how close help is, if you can't reach it, you're screwed! This would be my worst nightmare.
@@johnnyvivic8730 He did have a radio, but he couldn't reach it or move at all. Agree that the separation shouldn't have happened in the first place, though. Too steep to get back uphill in time to help one's buddy!
Who else was holding their breath while Zuber was cussing and working as fast as he could... then laughed a sigh of relief when Steger says, "Take your time, man" at the end of the video? Two. Stellar. Hoomans.
I am floored by how calm Ian remained. I am incredibly claustrophobic and I was panicking for him while Francis was digging him out. I saw the original video. Talk about fate. Right place, right time. I have some sense of what it is like to get stuck in these tree wells - I got stuck in one many years ago on Mt. Seymour in British Columbia while skiing. Fortunately for me I was right side up, buried up to my chest, and another skiier was 20 yards behind and helped me out.
He was likely very panicked the first few minutes and had fought himself to exhaustion trying to escape to no avail. By the time we see him in the video he is likely completely drained of energy both physically and emotionally.
I watched the entire video and was on needles and pins. I was just blown away that he was there; at the right time before he died, on that WHOLE mountain covered in trees, had the right tools and had the right training. Wow! Whether you believe in God or not, if that wasn't statistically a God moment I don't know what would be, simply just miraculously amazing! If Francis hadn't have been there at that EXACT moment people wouldn't have found Ian until spring and someone just happen to be there and just happen to see his body between the trees. Thanks for sharing ABC11. Best Wises & Blessings. Keith Noneya
These two men became brothers that day! When you share a life and death event like this rescue, it turns strangers immediately into family. God bless them both!😊
This happened to me once while I was skiing. Fortunately I didn’t go all the way in. I realized during the experience that if I went in totally upside down that I wouldn’t have gotten out because my skis were still attached. With careful maneuvering I was able to get out. But if I made one small mistake, I would have gone further down. It was a total adrenaline rush. For those who don’t understand what a tree well is, the trees branches prevent snow from falling around the trunk of the tree so there is a large empty hole around the tree with a steep bank all around it. Oh. Actually I am wrong. This is how they form. “They are formed as ground winds scour around the tree’s trunk and lower branches, which also act like an umbrella, shedding snow away from the trunk. “
I'm unfamiliar with snow. If you get buried upside down as opposed to rightside up. Why is it so much more difficult? Are you more immobilized? Is the weight of the snow even at a few feet heavy enough to trap you?
Watched the original video, heartstopping 😮. God put him in that young mans path that day. What a fantastic rescue saving his life, so he goes home to his fiancée. It's wonderful to see both men on this clip and see the bond that's formed. 😁❤️⛷️🏂
Saw the original video and the fact that Steger (I hope I spelt it right) couldn’t hear anything just tells how eerie and disturbing some events can be, even with one of nature’s most common and beautiful items, snow. It’s very amazing to hear both men are alright!
This hero saved this snowboarder... yes but also the snowboarders' friends that left him behind would live with that guilt their whole lives. The hero saved many lives.
I fell into like a 2 foot treewell in Idaho one year and discovered that even a baby well is absurdly hard to get out of. This brings back PTSD I don't even deserve. Have fun WITH friends, stay safe.
He is so lucky to be alive. Tree wells are not a joke. Deep powder is incredibly exhausting to fight against. I fell in a much shallower tree well once and was at a much more advantageous angle (on my side) and it still took me like 15 minutes to extricate myself. Luckily I had a buddy with me who could have helped if needed.
What an impressive contrast to the Gwyneth Paltrow ski accident clown show! In this case, Zuber did everything right. And the snowboarder fortunately had a bright colored snowboard. Something to keep in mind for those of you who ski deep powder Even out in the northeast where I wish we had deep powder more often, this can happen. I saved a ski friend in a tree well where he was upside down. Fortunately snow not covering his head, but unable to reach his bindings.
soooo great that he had a colorful board...if he had a white or even black one the skier would not have noticed it, it wouldve blended rt into the trees! such a miracle🙌
A mountain is so big, people usually are skiing/snowboarding, either way going down fast, AND you’re barely visible bc almost completely engulfed in snow, and what’s left above ground is hidden behind a tree. Yeaahhh.. I’d be thinking it’s over too. It’s incredible that despite those odds, he was still found and rescued fast enough that he actually survived it. I hope he enjoys his second chance at life, and i hope many good things come to that hero’s path.
This was amazing, it was breathtaking. So thankful this gent happened by, and stopped to investigate. Great news story of great humans. We all need this right now. 👏🏽
These guys both seem like great people and thanks to fate intervening, we didn't lose one of them, which is heartening, because we need as many good people on this earth as we can get.
Snow is a scarily good insulator for sound, the fact he didn't even hear his rescuer shows you how dangerous it is to be caught out here without a way to communicate. Likely no one will find you buried no matter how loud you scream.
You wouldnt hear a word in this case scenario. The dude was way too much covered from snow, its literally impossible to hear. Dude would have been 100% dead if the other dude didnt pass by sheer and utter luck.
Amazing show of strength, endurance, & control under pressure - I'm glad you chose the path you took and noticed his board in the snow. It might've been just the two of you in that moment, but I'm sure a lot of us were digging with you & rooting you both on as we watched from afar. Many blessings to you both 💙💙💙
A school friend passed away in this exact scenario, as his friends were recording him from the bottom of the bowl and couldn't get to him in time. Pangs of anxiety get washed away by a wave of relief while watching this video.
Don’t get ahead of your friends . Great job rescuer, u were so strong & prepared! I was rescued once in spring ice melt & freezing river water near Auburn, CA. If you’re out there, the boater who saw me & pulled me to shore, THANK YOU! My arms and legs were numb & useless, and my life jacket was far away on my paddle board that I fell off of. Yup. Lessons learned. 😣😊🙃
What heroic action ! Just to even see the snowboard in the corner of his eye. Someone was truely looking after the snowboarder that day. In so much new snow be careful.
I watched the entire video... I cant understand how you remained so calm. Incredible self-control. And to the rescuer.... you made a difference. A life saved. How very wonderful!
"Take your time, man......" whew, I was able to finally calm down while just watching this, and laugh nervously in relief!
Being a big guy like I am 6'7" 265lbs and very muscular, people are amazed that my kryptonite is tight spaces. I have been shot twice during 4 deployments to Iraq and I still cruised right thru that, but to be honest, I think I would have completely lost it being buried like that with no ability to move and the constriction that he must have felt around his body.
I have no doubt I would have gone into full panic/anxiety mode. Just thinking about it and watching it gave me little body tremors. How did that dude hold it together like that??? Either he is a total badass or perhaps he made peace with the fact he was going to die and if the guy got him dug out, then it was just a "life bonus". I would even be freaking out if I was the guy trying to dig him out because, to me, other than falling thousands of feet to my death, being buried alive would be a very close 2nd to being the worst way to go.
LOLOLOL. I can barely type this as I rewatch the video.
I've seen 3 accidents like this, maybe skiers and snowboarders both should carry a GPS beacon or emergency beacon around their neck, something like that. The rescuer here, that shovel surprised me and I'd guess he had several other useful items in that backpack, great idea!
@@veramae4098 they do. He did. He was under the snow and couldn't reach it
@seanrooney4234🤡
As a snowboarder myself, I just absolutely wept at this story. The fact that his friends just took off in front of him and did not once glance back to see if he was still catching up with them. The fact that this skier just so happen to take the same exact path down the mountain as he did, and was aware enough to see the board. I just...I am still in shock and awe of this story.
the friends did notice! it says in an article that they were freaking about him on the radio! When he hit the tree and fell into the snow, it knocked his radio away!
@@cap-lock9432 As a back mountain boarder, I go with a group of friends and we are constantly yelling at each other on the mountain, and looking over our shoulders to make sure we aren't getting too ahead of the pack for safety. That's what I meant by that.
@@pandagomoo okay!! I have never done anything like that before!! But I wasn’t trying to argue with you about it!
@@pandagomoo As someone who read the comment, you said they didn't notice and pretty much called them careless without any base "did not once glance back" were you part of the group to know that?
Even if they had, they wouldn't have been able to get back up anyways, if you saw the original clip of this you saw how hard it was for the rescuer to scale the probably 10 feet between them through the snow, even if they had checked over their shoulders or yelled they would have been helpless, he wouldn't have heard them, they wouldn't have been able to locate him in time. Not to mention that the rescuers partner is out of sight seconds into the original clip. An extremely unfortunate accident that couldn't have had a better ending, I was also brought to tears watching the original clip and I'm glad to have seen the two talking afterwards.
You wept? Do you weep over everything that happens in your life?
I have been berried before and got rescued and this video just brings chills and tears to my eyes, the second someone gets the snow off your face is a feeling I cannot ever explain, be safe out there and have fun!
I got berried once at a farmers market
I was buried once and even though I was surrounded by people and "knew" I would be okay I *still* remember the terror and panic. He was so calm!
Hehe. Berried. Was it Rasp or Blue?
Where you *strawberried, raspberried, or blueberried?*
My berry popped when I was a 18 year old twink. Someone berried me on Grindr.
I lost a good friend of mine at kirkwood California in 1991 who died exactly how this guy was trapped. There was 5 of us in our group 2 skiers and 3 snowboarder in 3ft to 5ft of fresh powder one of the snowboarders that day was legend shuan palmer. We all charging the mountain on chair 6 it was dumping. We got to chair lift and there was only 4 of us we waited and our friend who I have not named so to not bring painfully memories to loved ones. He was found after 7hrs and 15 ski patrols, search and rescue crew a small group of locals who volunteered to ski with the 4 of us tracing the lines where we started together that morning. Sadly we skied right over him run after run only until someone got a glimpse of his board. A scene I will never forget. Soooo stoked that this one in a million chance this guy seen his board is absolutely incredible you are a true hero.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend
I am so sorry for your friend.
I'm sorry about your friend.
Wow. Not a fun way to die. 😢 Sorry you lost your friend. Soul is eternal. 🧖🏼. My son Died in 2011 & I see him in my dreams. 🌷🌸🌷Life always follows death, fortunately. 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
@Janet Pattison what exactly is a fun way to die to you?
That man was for sure dead. He is SOOO lucky and blessed that skier was there, aware and prepared. Wow.
I don't understand how he could breath while buried in snow?
@Blackhole It looks like its all completely compacted around his face though? I guess it wasn't initially but the guy digging moved the snow?
Dude was 100% going to drown in snow, props to the skiers eyesight
@@nicksmith9276 the snow is lightly packed since it was so fresh, if it had been a day passed since it snowed and that snow settled, he wouldve been gone for sure in a couple minutes
@@truantmale👀 I agree.. fuck, that guy was really blessed
I'm so happy he was saved and got to tell his fiance that he loves her 😭
You can tell that the reporter at the end was crying too.
And hug her!
I can't imagine just being buried alive upside down in ice and just knowing the chance of being found before you die are so slim you just have to know you're going to die. And then someone starts digging around you.
@@dragonsember And then you say, "Take your time, man."
@@FalconTypo6yes, why not!? 🙂
🤧 As a ski patrol veteran, this rescuer performed a textbook rescue. Amazing skill and composure during a life-changing experience. You've taught so many the realities of back country risks and the necessary, life-saving preparedness.🏅Also impressed with your skiing and strength.👍
Yeah, very strong guy, good head on him. Would feel safe skiing with him.
@@m.bird. 10/10 would ski again
I think anyone who has had an accident of any kind can relate with the moment you see that first person that comes to rescue you. It's a very intense moment, soul to soul, heart to heart, that one never forgets.
I read your comment several times, it was just so beautifully and sweetly expressed.
So true. I almost died in a car accident and i'm still in contact with the first responders on scene who happens to be a couple. It was 8 years ago.
@@altarec123oh nice! 😱🙂
Idk if this counts but as a kid I didn't swim over the surface, just under. So one day I am on the pool at a part that was too deep for me so I swam under to get to the shallow part but I surfaced and still could barely touch the ground, so I started panicking, jumping to get to the edge of the pool but I was running out of air, and I notice there's a dude's back closer than the edge f the pool. So I start jumpig towards him until I'm able to just hold on to his back to catch my breath, neither I nor the dude said anything, I just held on to catch my breath for a minute and continued swimung towards the edge. Idk if he even realized, but he likely saved my life for just standing there lol
God bless you Francis. You saved that man and you saved his loved ones from some serious heartache. He would have been missing until around July or so.
What an incredible rescue and luck to just happen to see him!!!
Aye. Amazingly lucky. The snow buried him nearly completely - but miraculously just a few inches were left uncovered, enough to just see his snowboard.
And also very lucky he got buried with his hand near his mouth - which allowed him to form a small air pocket. Fate surely aligned in his favour that day.
@@crazyhai8155 The fact that he was trapped speaks ill of his destiny, but if we take into account the fact that he met his savior, I imagine that the end of this was to find himself after something so "almost" tragic
@@juareznahuel6108I think it speaks amazingly of his destiny that he was miraculously saved
He fell right on top of him! That's craaazy.
He did everything right too, calming the guy, letting him know he needed to take a breath, then come get him. Amazing.
Yes, exemplary communication.
“You saved a life today. You saved my life.” I swear I always choke up hearing those words. Just thinking about how someone can get in a situation like that and feel completely helpless. It’s traumatizing. Truly hope these two stay friends for good and hope his relationship stays thriving. 🙏🏼
It looks like brothers reunion. Both with full beards.
Agreed man. It reminds me that there are good people out there!
Another reason why bright, loud colors can save lives
Wow, so much of the public's focus is on avalanches and collisions and yet these tree wells in deep snow conditions are just unbelievably dangerous and incredibly lethal. He was lucky to have been spotted and of course kudos to the skier for being equipped and knowing how to respond with urgency and yet with a calm, steady hand...and of course, always good to see some brotherhood between skiers and boarders.
So a tree well is a hollow spot in the snow ? I was sincerely wondering how this man ended upside down covered in that much snow...
@@TH-cam_deletes_my_comments Yeah it is a hollow spot / spot where the snow is very low density surrounded by higher density snow. Invariably, when falling into one, the skier / boarder goes in head first and their skis or boards get locked into thicker snow above them and snow sort of falls into the cavity where the skiers head and torso lands....they get locked into a position and really can't breathe at all.
@@nlabanok Well someone was looking out for dude that day... Glad he's okay... Thanks for being informative I was looking around for the explanation... Never knew that was a potential danger for snow enthusiast...
@@TH-cam_deletes_my_comments Well if you imagine how snow falls around a tree it's quite easy to imagine. The branches hold the snow up, but as soon as something heavier gets on them, they bend down and you fall down while being burried.
I mean... there's a reason why these places are out of bounds, they're NOT meant to be skiied on, this would never happen inside designated areas. I do a lot of skiing myself, but I never go out of bounds because you never know when stuff like this happens.
So many people think that they could do so much if only they had a second chance.
This guy got one.
I hope he's living his second chance to the fullest.
man these kind of thing makes me tear up.. i can't imagine the thoughts running through his head. i know he was praying to God in that moment and when this rescuer shows up.. the amount of overwhelming relief.. just absolutely incredible.
So many news stations covering this story, and Not a SINGLE ONE mentions the word "Tree Well" which is a shame. It'd be a great time for both a hero story, AND a lesson to newer snowboarders/skiiers.
Media only cares about views . That being said =tree well also known as a spruce trap.
Thumbs up!
The reporter mentions Tree Well and what they are at 0:24
@@MegaChris456 You're right, it's a passing comment, but it IS the word "Tree Well" which is what I asked for Dx. But yea, the idea was to raise awareness about the risks of tree wells. They kill too many snowboarders every year.
@@Selfg12 Yeah I agree with you on that bro, definitely needs to be more awareness for these natural killers.
Francis Zuber hero .
He saved his life
Just so greatful, he literally saved this man life i cannot imagine how horrifying it would be
I'm happy the skier was prepared for this kind of scenario. Just shows how important it is to be prepared for anything 🙏
So happy to see something good on the news for a change. This sure made me happy.
Feeling that hand on his foot/ankle while he was buried must have been quite the relief. Even more when he realized that someone was digging for him.
What a humbling experience. Thank goodness for this miracle ❤
They actually look alike like siblings too. Heart racing when I saw this. Very happy he was saved and Bravo to the rescuer!
NEVER go off trail alone.
Whether it's cycling, hiking, snowboarding, climbing, or driving.
If you get in trouble alone, you die alone
For hiking? Nah. Be experienced and prepared for an unexpected overnight and have a satellite communicator with you. Done it many times. Not talking about mountaineering.
He was with friends at first. They got ahead of him. That's what makes downhill sports especially dangerous. Much harder to backtrack.
@@furyofbongos never get too cocky my friend. Have to respect nature
We all die alone, don't we?
@Remi Russo I never understood that phrase. Most of my dead family members died accompanied by other family members or at a hospital surrounded by medics. If you mean alone, as in you being the only one to die, I guess it makes more sense, as long as you don't decide to take anyone else with you
The point of skiing _together_ in deep pow on steep terrain is to never let this happen. We all want to charge without stopping but you simply can’t without excellent visual and audible communication. Mission fail. What an incredibly lucky man.
This is why we have radios in my group
@@johnnyvivic8730 Think this guy even had a transponder on him. He was just flash locked in place and couldn't reach it.
@@junioraltamontent.7582 Yeah I thought about that. I've got an emergency satellite beacon in my avy bag waist pouch and a radio mic mounted on my shoulder strap. But no matter how close help is, if you can't reach it, you're screwed! This would be my worst nightmare.
@@johnnyvivic8730 He did have a radio, but he couldn't reach it or move at all. Agree that the separation shouldn't have happened in the first place, though. Too steep to get back uphill in time to help one's buddy!
Who else was holding their breath while Zuber was cussing and working as fast as he could... then laughed a sigh of relief when Steger says, "Take your time, man" at the end of the video? Two. Stellar. Hoomans.
I saw this yesterday. Oh my God. My heart was pounding the entire recovery. That was the most Selfless action by Zuber ever.
It was literally over for that man. He was blessed/lucky/whatever that the guy was so observant!
I am floored by how calm Ian remained. I am incredibly claustrophobic and I was panicking for him while Francis was digging him out. I saw the original video. Talk about fate. Right place, right time. I have some sense of what it is like to get stuck in these tree wells - I got stuck in one many years ago on Mt. Seymour in British Columbia while skiing. Fortunately for me I was right side up, buried up to my chest, and another skiier was 20 yards behind and helped me out.
He was likely very panicked the first few minutes and had fought himself to exhaustion trying to escape to no avail. By the time we see him in the video he is likely completely drained of energy both physically and emotionally.
More than one miracle occured that day. Absolutely awe inspiring. ❤️
To save a life has got to be the best it gets. God Bless Both.
Wow, kudos to the rescuer!!! He’s a HERO 🥲❤👏👏👏
This by far one of the most heart stopping videos I ever watched.
I watched a video. This guy is a hero! He deserves some recognition for this major act of kindness.
how long was he under the snow??? this is a miracle? GOD IS GREAT! brothers for life ❤😊
That snowboarder is definitely prayed over by the people who love him ❤ Amazing
I have never skied or snowboarded, but today I learnt a life saving lesson!
Very kind and helpful man. Very calm in a stressful situation. You are his angel that day🙂♥️
Being a rider the anxiety this video gave me was next level this guys a hero 🤘🏼
Just incredible. Bless these guys.
Wow what a miracle. Definitely a tear jerker for me. Both seem like good dudes
So thankful he looked back and noticed him.
Imagine saving a persons life in such a geographical location thts amazing
This is so wholesome . So great for both souls. This is spectacular.
That guys is an absolute hero!
I watched the entire video and was on needles and pins. I was just blown away that he was there; at the right time before he died, on that WHOLE mountain covered in trees, had the right tools and had the right training. Wow! Whether you believe in God or not, if that wasn't statistically a God moment I don't know what would be, simply just miraculously amazing! If Francis hadn't have been there at that EXACT moment people wouldn't have found Ian until spring and someone just happen to be there and just happen to see his body between the trees. Thanks for sharing ABC11. Best Wises & Blessings. Keith Noneya
Wow!!!! You are a hero!!! 👏🏻👏🏻Thank you for the rescue, young man. 👍🏻💪🏻
I wish you a long long life and the man under the snow too.✌️
These two men became brothers that day! When you share a life and death event like this rescue, it turns strangers immediately into family. God bless them both!😊
I know he prayed to God to save him.
Bless you both!!! Love from Italy!
This is truly divine intervention. Praise God ❤
True hero. Thank you for having the knowledge, patience and calmness to safe him. Blessings to you both
This happened to me once while I was skiing. Fortunately I didn’t go all the way in. I realized during the experience that if I went in totally upside down that I wouldn’t have gotten out because my skis were still attached. With careful maneuvering I was able to get out. But if I made one small mistake, I would have gone further down. It was a total adrenaline rush. For those who don’t understand what a tree well is, the trees branches prevent snow from falling around the trunk of the tree so there is a large empty hole around the tree with a steep bank all around it. Oh. Actually I am wrong. This is how they form. “They are formed as ground winds scour around the tree’s trunk and lower branches, which also act like an umbrella, shedding snow away from the trunk. “
I'm unfamiliar with snow. If you get buried upside down as opposed to rightside up. Why is it so much more difficult? Are you more immobilized? Is the weight of the snow even at a few feet heavy enough to trap you?
The overwhelming sense of gratitude I would have for that guy. What a horror it must have been while he was stuck thinking it was over.
How lucky he was , I would be grateful for the rest of my life 🙏
I'm so happy that this man can continiue to live ❤
Watched the original video, heartstopping 😮. God put him in that young mans path that day. What a fantastic rescue saving his life, so he goes home to his fiancée. It's wonderful to see both men on this clip and see the bond that's formed.
😁❤️⛷️🏂
Saw the original video and the fact that Steger (I hope I spelt it right) couldn’t hear anything just tells how eerie and disturbing some events can be, even with one of nature’s most common and beautiful items, snow.
It’s very amazing to hear both men are alright!
I would die right away with my claustrophobia and would not be that calm. and shoutout to that man. The dedication to saving him was great
How long was he buried? Unbelievable rescue. You saved his live for sure!
They estimate he was buried for 5 mins before Francis came along.
@@digital_gravity That must’ve been a terrifying 5 minutes. Not knowing if anyone would see you, if anyone would find you or notice.
How did he breathe? Can you breathe under there?
@@amysho2192 he had an air pocket that was slowly collapsing. He didn't have much time left.
Saint Francis@@digital_gravity
Dude. That guy buried met his Angel. How craaazy I still can't breath
What a hero 🥹👏🙏
I love Australia. I am never leaving here...
Wow that was a miracle on earth. Right place at right time. ♥️
This hero saved this snowboarder... yes but also the snowboarders' friends that left him behind would live with that guilt their whole lives. The hero saved many lives.
What a lucky guy to be rescued! What a guy who found him and did what he could to get him out. AMAZING!!! Great job Francis!!!
It's good to show the world that skiers and snowboarders are in fact not always arch enemies. But seriously, amazing video.
The buddy system is so important😊
This man is a hero!
Francis was a hero. Great job
I fell into like a 2 foot treewell in Idaho one year and discovered that even a baby well is absurdly hard to get out of. This brings back PTSD I don't even deserve. Have fun WITH friends, stay safe.
Each of us are brothers, none goes his way alone, what we give into the lives of others, comes back into our own.
Unbelievable fright! What a super human. WOW
Faith in humanity restored.
What a great story, even the news anchor had a tear in his eye.
He is so lucky to be alive. Tree wells are not a joke. Deep powder is incredibly exhausting to fight against. I fell in a much shallower tree well once and was at a much more advantageous angle (on my side) and it still took me like 15 minutes to extricate myself. Luckily I had a buddy with me who could have helped if needed.
Omg,that was so hard to watch!!
I'm glad he was rescued!!
What an impressive contrast to the Gwyneth Paltrow ski accident clown show!
In this case, Zuber did everything right. And the snowboarder fortunately had a bright colored snowboard. Something to keep in mind for those of you who ski deep powder
Even out in the northeast where I wish we had deep powder more often, this can happen. I saved a ski friend in a tree well where he was upside down. Fortunately snow not covering his head, but unable to reach his bindings.
Well done!
I know of three people that have died upside down in tree wells, be with a buddy there people !!!
He wasn't alone
@@deprofundis3293 If a partner does not know you are upside down in a tree well , you are alone !
soooo great that he had a colorful board...if he had a white or even black one the skier would not have noticed it, it wouldve blended rt into the trees! such a miracle🙌
god bless you bro thank you for being there
Thank you ski Angel ✨️
A mountain is so big, people usually are skiing/snowboarding, either way going down fast, AND you’re barely visible bc almost completely engulfed in snow, and what’s left above ground is hidden behind a tree. Yeaahhh.. I’d be thinking it’s over too. It’s incredible that despite those odds, he was still found and rescued fast enough that he actually survived it. I hope he enjoys his second chance at life, and i hope many good things come to that hero’s path.
This was amazing, it was breathtaking. So thankful this gent happened by, and stopped to investigate. Great news story of great humans. We all need this right now. 👏🏽
These guys both seem like great people and thanks to fate intervening, we didn't lose one of them, which is heartening, because we need as many good people on this earth as we can get.
Snow is a scarily good insulator for sound, the fact he didn't even hear his rescuer shows you how dangerous it is to be caught out here without a way to communicate. Likely no one will find you buried no matter how loud you scream.
You wouldnt hear a word in this case scenario. The dude was way too much covered from snow, its literally impossible to hear. Dude would have been 100% dead if the other dude didnt pass by sheer and utter luck.
Amazing show of strength, endurance, & control under pressure - I'm glad you chose the path you took and noticed his board in the snow.
It might've been just the two of you in that moment, but I'm sure a lot of us were digging with you & rooting you both on as we watched from afar. Many blessings to you both 💙💙💙
A school friend passed away in this exact scenario, as his friends were recording him from the bottom of the bowl and couldn't get to him in time. Pangs of anxiety get washed away by a wave of relief while watching this video.
The reporter at 2:12 is really feeling this story; guy's even got a tear running down his left cheek.
I'm glad your safe and sound GOD BLESS YOU BOTH❤🎉
He came like a god ascending from heaven to rescue the needy. May God bless these two!
Gog bless this man, sent like an Angel to save this life
So amazing! This is the kind of news I want to hear about!
Don’t get ahead of your friends . Great job rescuer, u were so strong & prepared! I was rescued once in spring ice melt & freezing river water near Auburn, CA. If you’re out there, the boater who saw me & pulled me to shore, THANK YOU! My arms and legs were numb & useless, and my life jacket was far away on my paddle board that I fell off of. Yup. Lessons learned. 😣😊🙃
Absolute hero
Francis a real hero.
Zuber, what a fine job you've done.
.... true hero...
What heroic action ! Just to even see the snowboard in the corner of his eye. Someone was truely looking after the snowboarder that day. In so much new snow be careful.