Mountain Story 2023: "Buried" Film Screening & Conversation

265 South Cache Street,Jackson WY 83001

07 February, 2023

Description

Teton County Library's Mountain Story 2023 presents a free public screening and discussion of "Buried," a film documenting the catastrophic 1982 Alpine Meadows avalanche. About the film: In the early 1980’s, the Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol were the undisputed gods of winter in the mountain hamlet of Lake Tahoe, California, a sun-drenched wonderland of endless powder and parties. This sundry crew full of youthful hubris and a zest for explosives were guided by a newly minted avalanche forecaster named Jim Plehn. More thoughtful and strategic than the others, Jim was a stickler for safety and protocol; he had to be at this avalanche-prone resort. The responsibility to keep the skiing public safe was an all-consuming obsession of the patrol crew, which made the day of March 31, 1982 all the more devastating, when an avalanche of unforeseeable magnitude broke free. Millions of pounds of snow hurtled down the side of the mountain demolishing the resort’s base area.The wreckage was unimaginable and for the shell-shocked patrol team there was no time to dwell, eight missing victims were buried in the slide - co-workers, friends, family - and every passing second was precious. Over the next five days, through an unrelenting storm and unimaginable tragedy, the rescue team persevered, never losing hope for a miracle. The film screening is followed by a discussion led by Teton County Search and Rescue, JHMR Ski Patrol, Bridger Teton Avalanche forecasters, film contributor, and more. Film written and directed by Jared Drake & Steven Siig. About the panelists: Jen Reddy Jen has been a volunteer for Teton County Search and Rescue since 2015. She wears many hats in the community, serving as a board member to the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center Foundation, a steering committee member on the Teton Backcountry Alliance, is an avalanche instructor and the Member Services Coordinator for the American Avalanche Association. Jen is also a founding member of Teton Interagency Peer Support, which provides mental health assistance for the first responders of Teton County. Lanny Johnson Lanny first began skiing and climbing in Canada and became a Full UIAGM guide in summer 1981 in Canada. He worked as avalanche control and Ski patrol Alpine Meadows from 1979-86, and worked as a climbing Ranger in Grant Teton National Park during the summers of 1981-89. He has also guided seasonally in Nepal and Tibet. Additional skills and passions include adventure photography and medicine, and he contributed valuable of the footage in the film. Lanny has worked as a paramedic, RN, PA-C, and associate medical advisor. Drew Kneeland Drew grew up in Northern Vermont and attended Colorado College. He moved to Jackson Hole the day after graduation in 1989 and started working at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. He has been very fortunate to work with the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol for over 30 years, and now lives in Victor, ID with his wife and two kids. Lewis Smirl Lewis is a mental health therapist that specializes in various therapeutic areas, including trauma-based treatment. He works on a specialized team that provides direct care to Teton County’s first responders to help them increase their resilience and mitigate impact from trauma and traumatic events as well as help address, treat, and manage complex trauma incidents. You can find Lewis exploring long technical climbs and mountain canyons, or, more likely, two hours behind schedule trying to identify a wildflower species. He feels deeply grateful for the ability to serve the heart of Jackson Hole through therapy. He lives in Wilson with his wife and their dog, Batman. Mike Rheam Mike works as the avalanche hazard reduction leader for Jackson Hole Ski Patrol and as a forecaster for the Bridger-Teton NF Avalanche Center. Mike is the coordinator and lead instructor for the JH NAS Field Session. He has had extensive experience heli-ski guiding and forecasting and is currently a guide and snow safety consultant for a backcountry lodge in the Alaska Range. Mike floats, fishes, hikes, and skis with his wife and daughter, both of whom ski better than he does. About Mountain Story: Where great adventure meets great writing, the library's Mountain Story festival brings nationally recognized and award-winning writers and adventurers to Jackson Hole. These community celebrations invite library cardholders to experience adventure and literary entertainment together - for free! Mountain Story is made possible through your donations, large and small, to the Library Foundation. Questions? Contact: Leah Shlachter, Adult Program Coordinator, [email protected], 307-733-2164 x3229 For complete Mountain Story 2023 details: https://www.tclib.org/1375/Mountain-Story-2023