Another story where Google Maps and Twitter is used as a rescue tool but sadly this time not the entirely happy ending. Two skiers, Rob Williams, from Liverpool, and his friend Jason Tavaria got separated from their party when a blizzard descended upon the group and unfortunately Rob was killed. The BBC reports that they got lost in a forest although I suspect that this is only part of the story as a forest offers the best visibility in a blizzard. I suspect that they got out of the forest and then fell.
This tells me a few things: Twitter, Google Maps, iPhones etc can take the stick but their uses are leaving their own legendary story. Also, if you ski, you really must respect the mountain. I have been in conditions where you really can’t see beyond the tips of your skis and it’s not fun.
I am just after talking to my uncle who’s been skiing since the 1960s and he concurs that in such conditions you are nearly better off stepping to where you think you should be going. If you find trees take shelter there until the storm blows over. He also advised that you would nearly be better off skiing with a rope attached to your party.
I am particularly saddened by Rob’s death as he started Dolphin Music of which I have been a customer on a few occasions. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Maybe technology in the future will be faster and we can have more happy endings.