How did Kurt survive the Choisa avalanche climb?

TL;DR

Kurt and Herman tried a dangerous solo ascent without safety gear as a storm approached. Kurt jumped 30 feet to escape an avalanche and later found the cliff edge where the mountain had shifted, while Herman disappeared in the slide. The storm and ground collapse forced a desperate retreat that ended with Kurt surviving and locating the aftermath.

Transcript

Today's video is a collection of five fan favorite stories that all have disturbing photos associated with them. Now, these five fan favorites have all been completely re-edited for today's episode. So, even if you may have heard or seen them before, it'll still feel like a brand new viewing experience. And for all you longtime fans of the channel,... Read More

Key Insights

• Kurt and Herman attempted a world record climb with minimal safety equipment.
• A dark storm cloud altered their plan and forced a rapid ascent.
• Kurt could not stop during the push to the summit due to the imminent danger.
• An avalanche occurred as they retreated, changing the mountain’s surface below them.
• Kurt jumped about 30 feet to escape the avalanche and avoid being pulled down the slope.
• The avalanche removed part of the mountain, creating a new crevasse and separating the climbers.
• Herman disappeared in the avalanche, leaving Kurt to search for signs of what happened.
• Kurt later traced the tracks down the mountain, realizing the other climber was lost in the slide.
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Questions & Answers

Q: What decision did the climbers make when the storm approached

The climbers decided to press on toward the summit to set a potential world record despite the brewing storm. They believed they could reach the top before the weather hit, accepting the high risk of bad visibility and dangerous conditions. The choice hinged on avoiding a abortive return that would ruin their objective.

Q: How close were they to the summit when the weather turned

They were within about 1000 feet of the summit when Kurt noticed the dark cloud approaching. The urgency of the storm meant they could not slow down without risking being caught by the weather. This proximity to the peak intensified the danger and narrowed their options.

Q: What happened to Kurt when the avalanche started

When the avalanche began, Kurt leapt to the right in an effort to escape. He jumped about 30 feet, hoping to land on solid ground rather than be swept away with the slide. The fall him caused a jolt, but it ultimately allowed him to avoid being buried entirely.

Q: What did Kurt realize about the mountain after the avalanche

Kurt realized that the area he and Herman had been walking on had been removed by the avalanche, leaving him on a new cliff edge. This realization showed how drastically the terrain had changed in an instant and explained why he could not easily find his partner.

Q: What evidence did Kurt use to understand what happened to Herman

Kurt used the tracks left on the mountain after the avalanche. The footprints diverged, with one set leading away from the cliff toward safety and the other disappearing over the edge, indicating Herman had been swept away by the slide while Kurt avoided the worst of the collapse.

Q: How did Kurt react physically after the fall

Kurt, though battered from the 30-foot fall, found that adrenaline sustained him. He scrambled back up to the rgeline to search for signs of Herman, then used the visible tracks to deduce the route Herman may have taken or been carried by after the avalanche.

Q: What role did visibility play in the climbers' ordeal

Visibility plummeted when the dark cloud enveloped them, making it nearly impossible to see the terrain or assess risk. This lack of visibility meant rapid decision making was essential, as any mistake could lead to becoming lost or caught in a deadly situation.

Q: What can be inferred about the outcome for Herman

From the narrative, Herman did not survive the avalanche. The tracks show one climber continuing along a safe line while the other disappeared over a cliff, and Kurt later identifies the cliff edge where the avalanche had claimed ground and likely Herman. The exact fate is implied through this evidence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kurt and Herman mount a high risk ascent on Choisa, aiming for a world record without safety equipment. The forecast turns hostile as a dark cloud nears and pressure to summit before the storm escalates. Kurt makes a split second decision to push upward and later to retreat in a perilous avalanche.

• An avalanche tears away part of the mountain, sending Kurt tumbling but he escapes by jumping to a safe ledge. He then discovers tracks that reveal Herman was taken by the slide, leaving Kurt to piece together what happened from the evidence.

• The aftermath shows how extreme weather and unstable terrain can redefine a climb, with Kurt surviving by timing, leverage, and luck, while Herman’s fate remains implied by the footprints and the destroyed path on the mountain.