This post is in memory of the first avalanche dog in the U.S. to save a buried person. Roberta Huber's German Shepherd Bridget found and saved 22-year-old Anna Conrad's life 40 years ago.
The recent Sierra storms have prompted thoughts about late season storms. We're so grateful for the precipitation of the last few days. While significant, it's nothing compared to what can happen.
In 1982, it started snowing at the end of March. While accounts of snow totals varied, most agree that somewhere around 11 or more feet of snow fell in four days. Despite constant avalanche control efforts throughout the duration of the storm, a massive slab avalanche swept down Alpine Meadows on March 31st. (Just northwest of Lake Tahoe.)
The slide snapped off massive old-growth trees, took out chairlifts, crushed the three-story base lodge, and buried the parking lot 15 feet deep. The resort had been closed due to the storm and avalanche danger, and most of the people had left. But seven of those who hadn't yet gotten out were killed. One more, Anna Conrad, was nearly killed. She was buried for five days.
Many people searched for days. Five days after the slide, Huber's dog Bridget was searching when she picked up Anna's scent. The dog was excited and nervous with barely controllable energy. The dog knew what she had found: A live human.
Search workers followed Bridget's lead and dug out Anna. The young woman had eaten no food for five days and had only snow for water. The cold had taken its toll, and the woman lost one leg and the toes on the other from frostbite. But she survived thanks to Bridget.
When we first moved to Tahoe in 1990, there were very few trained avalanche rescue dogs. Now all the resorts have full-time avalanche rescue dogs on staff. Goldens, Labs, and others. They have saved multiple lives.
Moral of the story? Never underestimate what the weather (and a dog) can do.
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