For those who don’t know. This is a tree well. For people who ski a lot, especially backcountry, it is probably the number one danger to skiing. Even more than trees themselves. And cliffs are usually able to be seen and avoided when you’re making a route (considering you have to make it to the top somehow, you usually have some idea of your route).
It is caused by snow building up higher than the lower branches of the tree. Because the branches don’t allow for the snow to pack together as tightly, the snow is of extremely low density. You go head first into a tree well it is like falling into quick sand. And if you’re head first like this snowboarder, there is almost zero way for you to get out. I believe the best recommendation is to try and make out room in front of your mouth to breathe and then hope someone can help you (like here). If you aren’t skiing with anyone you’re basically fukked.
Well done by this partner to get him out. Climbing up the mountain in powder like that (even that short distance) is incredibly tiresome. Immediately making sure he could breathe before going to his pack and getting a shovel showed very good awareness. This would be terrifying.
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