Re: [Paddlewise] Vertigo?

John Fereira wrote:
> 
> At 07:52 PM 11/6/00 -0800, Dave Kruger wrote:

> >another time, in full-on whiteout on a glacier while on mountaineering
> skis [I experienced something akin to Barb Kossy's vertigo.]

> [snip; John's description of a similar incident:]
> About half way there I went through an
> area where the snow was blowing over the ridge and down the slope and
> everything got white.  I stopped, hoping to wait until the wind dropped a
> bit so I could see better.  Then I felt my skis slip sideways.  I was
> actually still moving but since I had no point of reference I didn't
> realize it. I sat down for a minute and it started to clear so I continued
> on.  It was really wierd.

Wow.  That's exactly what happened to us.  We were above treeline and the
whiteout descended, leaving us no reference marks.  It was so disorienting that
we could not tell when we were moving and when we were stationary.  Sometimes
we would set up for a kick turn and find out we were still moving => tangle of
skis!  Or, we would figure we were still moving and turn uphill to stop, and
find out we were already stopped => another tangle of skis!

Finally, we made the two snowshoers with us walk in front so we had something
to focus on, and we were able to regain orientation.  This was critical,
because a strong winter storm had just hit the mountain, and we had to get back
to treeline to survive.  I'll never forget the experience!

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

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