Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Meet the HERO Behind the Incredible Sidecountry Rescue Captured on GoPro

10/04/2023

When Francis Zuber left his house in Bellingham, Wash., March 3 to ski his local mountain, Mt. Baker, it started out like any normal day trip. It was an easy hour and change drive, and he rolled out of the car into some easy warmup laps. But as the day progressed, it became increasingly clear that luck was on his side.

To start, he intended to meet up with a friend, but only made loose plans beyond knowing they were both riding that day. Against all mountain odds, his friend spotted him on his first lap (let's be real, that never happens on a crowded Friday).

As the day progressed, the duo worked their way over to an out-of-bounds territory off Chair 8. Being experienced skiers and avy certified, they were comfortable in the terrain and had the proper safety gear, Francis let his buddy go first and chose to follow his line.

About a minute in-which Francis said was well before the exciting part of the line even-something caught his eye.

I picked a line and I'd only been there a couple of other times, so I was going a little quicker than I would have liked through those tight trees, he recalls. I did a jump and had to sort of bail and reset myself. It's a miracle that I did, because if I had come flying out of those trees, theres no chance that I would have seen a snowboard.

The snowboard happened to be another well-versed Mt. Baker local, Ian Steger, who was the last of his group to ride the sidecountry section. Ian either got clipped by a branch or snagged something, which led to him falling upside-down in a tree well.

I can still see in my minds eye what I saw in that moment, Francis explains. It was just like this very abstract red flash. I thought it could be a couple of things in that split second-one of those lollipops ski patrol puts out or actually somebody standing up next to the tree. I thought, that was weird, so I had to take another look because it was so out of place for being out of bounds.

That's when Francis saw Ian's brightly colored board wiggling a few side steps up from him, and he took action.

It was extremely shocking, going from this moment of euphoria, of skiing deep snow, he remembers. Going from having the time of your life. To all of a sudden, its like, Oh, my God, I have to save this persons life right now. Theres no one else coming that can help. I have to do this now.'

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Francis Zuber (@franciszuber)

--

From their calculations, Ian had been there 5 to 7 minutes. He had started off with an air pocket that slowly collapsed, and he could hear his riding buddies radioing for him but couldn't reach his walkie talkie, and even if he could, Francis said they were a challenging distance away to trek back up, through deep powder, and help. All safe to say, Francis came along at the perfect moment.

Ian's group was probably the first group of the day to make the traverse around a gully and through some trees to ride that specific area, and as the rescue played out, Francis said no one else came by. So yes, Francis had luck on his side but, even more importantly, he and Ian both agreed that they had proper mountain safety training on their side, too (as well as the proper backcountry beacon, shovel and probe kits).

This stuff happens so frequently, and it can be a little hush hush. I think people should be talking more openly about the danger of the sport, Francis says. Everybody should get training if they plan to go in the back country.

Francis said he ultimately decided to post the clip to his Instagram and YouTube to help raise awareness about the importance of proper mountain safety and riding with buddies, especially in tree sections and any out-of-bounds territory.

The intention [was to post the video] to raise awareness around the of danger of tree wells and deep snow and how to stay safe. With the hopes that people see it and sort of reevaluate the protocols. Maybe stop skiing solo in the trees or get some avy training, whatever the case may be.

Luckily Francis had his GoPro (a recent Christmas present from his wife!) recording almost the whole event, so he was able to share the story and raise awareness. But he did joke that as soon as he realized his camera was still rolling, his first instinct was to cut the recording. So he didn't capture the moment Ian reconnected safely with his crew nor the inevitable connection the pair formed after a near-death experience. But that's OK, because theres a happy ending to the story that Ian is okay. He was uninjured and were buddies now.

While Francis appreciates the praise he's received for his heroic actions, he also was quick to point out that there are professional doing this every day-we just don't always have GoPro recordings to share.

I want to shout out the ski patrol and search and rescue crews because they are doing this stuff all the time and certainly not getting nearly enough recognition for it.

We're proud to be in touch with Francis and able to grant a GoPro Award for his Be a HERO mentality. You are a legend, Francis!
LINK: https://gopro.com/en/gb/news/mount-baker-ski-rescue-caught-on-gopro...
See more stories from gopro

Most recent headlines

04/12/2023

Dalet Releases Dalet Cut, the Fastest Web-based Editor

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, announced the release of Dalet Cut, the cloud-native, lightning-fast multimedia a...

28/11/2023

AMG's Local Now Adds Newly-Launched Time FAST Channel

ATLANTA Allen Media Group's Local Now free streaming service has announced it has added the recently launched Time FAST channel to its platform for local ne...

28/11/2023

TVBEurope Media and Entertainment: Best in Market 2023 awards still time to enter

The Media & Entertainment: Best in Market awards recognise the very best product...

28/11/2023

Element Tile Now For Hire

For the first time ever, The Element Tile 140 is available to hire! Since its launch the Element Tile 140 has been loved by many. Its simple design and high q...

28/11/2023

Custom Consoles Module-R and MediaWall Chosen by Leading...

London, UK, 28 November 2023 Custom Consoles announces the integration of a Module-R production control desk and MediaWall monitor display support system into...

28/11/2023

Bouygues Telecom Becomes First Operator in France to Stre...

Broadpeak , a leading provider of content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming solutions for content providers and pay-TV operators worldwide, announced t...

28/11/2023

Eurovision Sport Deploys LiveU EcoSystem to Create Enhanc...

Eurovision Sport, the sports arm of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), concentrated on securing sports rights and event production, took full advantage of i...

28/11/2023

Effective entertainment marketing is now video, but shorter

Effective entertainment marketing is now video, but shorter Andy Marken November 27, 2023 0 Comments It was great the way her mind worked. No guilt, n...

28/11/2023

Boris FX Brings AI-Driven Creative Plugins to Post Production

Boris FX Brings AI-Driven Creative Plugins to Post Production Frank Beacham November 27, 2023 0 Comments It seems as if artificial intelligence is swee...

28/11/2023

Win KBS Christmas Cash with MIX Mornings Starting Today

Starting today, MIX Mornings with Kyle, Bryan and Sarah, is overing listeners opportunity to win a little spending money for the holidays. Listen weekdays start...

28/11/2023

Berklee Honors TuneCore CEO at Annual Music Business Lecture

Berklee Honors TuneCore CEO at Annual Music Business Lecture Andreea Gleeson was the featured guest at the 30th Annual James G. Zafris Distinguished Lecture S...

28/11/2023

African Proverb of the day: 29 November 2023

African Proverb of the day: 29 November 2023An African proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, be...

28/11/2023

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide s...

28/11/2023

SKEEM SAAM: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

SKEEM SAAM: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right ...

28/11/2023

Prison journalism: The Homecoming

Prison journalism: The HomecomingJonno Knowles was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison and participated in restorative justice while inside the prison. by Jonno ...

28/11/2023

Africa Fact of the Day: Africa's biggest funding for startups - 28 November 2023

Africa Fact of the Day: Africa's biggest funding for startups - 28 November ...

28/11/2023

RIP Luzuko: Gqeberha: The Empire' character dies with his children

RIP Luzuko: Gqeberha: The Empire' character dies with his children Gqeberha: The Empire' viewers are thrilled actor Mbulelo Grootboom is leaving the te...

28/11/2023

Streaming Today: Onmyji on Netflix - 28 November 2023

Streaming Today: Onmy ji on Netflix - 28 November 2023Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your favourite p...

28/11/2023

Pole dancing: Strictly Come Dancing star defends routine

Pole dancing: Strictly Come Dancing star defends routineStrictly Come Pole' Dancing star Layton Williams has defended their dance routine for a 2023 episod...

28/11/2023

Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith reprimands Funani for letting Ona go off to start her own business

Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith reprimands Funani for letting Ona go off to sta...

28/11/2023

Tonight on Gqeberha: Zimkhitha's charms prove too hard to resist

Tonight on Gqeberha: Zimkhitha's charms prove too hard to resistDon't miss tonight's episode of Gqeberha: The Empire, and watch the latest episode o...

28/11/2023

Tonight on Generations: Nozipho smells a rat and decides to find out more

Tonight on Generations: Nozipho smells a rat and decides to find out moreKeen to know what's happening on the latest episode of Generations: The Legacy?. Ge...

28/11/2023

Tonight on 7de Laan: Lesedi opens up to Bonita about all the people she's lost around her

Tonight on 7de Laan: Lesedi opens up to Bonita about all the people she's lo...

28/11/2023

Tonight on Umkhokha: The Curse | Gabi is taunted by nightmares

Tonight on Umkhokha: The Curse | Gabi is taunted by nightmaresDiscover what's in store for tonight's episode! Umkhokha: The Curse airs on Mzansi Magic...

28/11/2023

Tonight on The River: Flora learns the truth and ends up doing the unthinkable

Tonight on The River: Flora learns the truth and ends up doing the unthinkableWatch tonight's episode of The River and catch the latest episode every weekda...

28/11/2023

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Jacobeth confronts Glenda and reads her the riot act

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Jacobeth confronts Glenda and reads her the riot actFind out what's going on tonight on Skeem Saam!. Skeem Saam episodes airs on SABC...

28/11/2023

Tonight on Uzalo: Gabisile wants to unite women

Tonight on Uzalo: Gabisile wants to unite womenDon't get left behind, catch up on Uzalo now! Episodes of Uzalo air on SABC1 from Mondays to Fridays at 20h30...

28/11/2023

Tonight on Scandal: A desperate time forces Prudence to desperate measures

Tonight on Scandal: A desperate time forces Prudence to desperate measuresGet to know what's happening on tonight's episode!. Scandal episodes airs on e...

28/11/2023

Unique Rohde & Schwarz 170 GHz power sensors ease use and traceability in the D-band

Unique Rohde & Schwarz 170 GHz power sensors ease use and traceability in the D-...

28/11/2023

3D Artist Nourhan Ismail Brings Isometric Innovation In the NVIDIA Studio' With Adobe After Effects and Blender

Editor's note: This post is part of our weekly In the NVIDIA Studio series, ...

28/11/2023

African Proverb of the day: 28 November 2023

African Proverb of the day: 28 November 2023An African proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, be...

28/11/2023

Gqeberha: The Empire: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

Gqeberha: The Empire: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Gqeberha: The Empire? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Gqeb...

28/11/2023

Smoke & Mirrors: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

Smoke & Mirrors: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Smoke & Mirrors? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Smoke & Mirror...

28/11/2023

Muvhango: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

Muvhango: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Muvhango? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Muvhango soapie right here,d...

28/11/2023

UZALO: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

UZALO: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of uzalo? No problem! Just watch all the latest episodes of uzalo soapie right here, don&...

28/11/2023

Umkhokha: The Curse: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

Umkhokha: The Curse: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Umkhokha: The Curse'? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of U...

28/11/2023

My Brother's Keeper: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

My Brother's Keeper: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of My Brother's Keeper? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes o...

28/11/2023

GENERATIONS: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

GENERATIONS: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Generations ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Generations soapie ri...

28/11/2023

NIKIWE: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

NIKIWE: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Nikiwe ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Nikiwe soapie right here. Don&#...

28/11/2023

SCANDAL: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]

SCANDAL: Monday's episode, 27 November 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Scandal ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Scandal soapie right here. Do...

27/11/2023

Content Creator Sebastien Andrade Reveals How You Can Get Three Free Months of Spotify Premium

With more than 10 million followers on TikTok and many more across platforms lik...

27/11/2023

Celebrating 60 Years - and Counting - of Flight for a Trusted National Workhorse

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - What does the world's most prolific upper-stage rocket engine have in common with the Lava Lamp, the smiley face and instant coffee?...

27/11/2023

Aerojet Rocketdyne Opens New, State-of-the-Art Chem Lab for Testing Inert and Energetic Solid Rocket Motor Materials

Members of Camden's Chem Lab Team Support Multiple Defense Programs...

27/11/2023

L3Harris Technologies Announces Definitive Agreement to Sell its Commercial Aviation Solutions Business to TJC for $800 Million

MELBOURNE, Fla., Nov. 27, 2023 - L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) today announc...

27/11/2023

L3Harris Radios Help Permian Basin Agencies Transform Emergency Response

XL Converge 200 multiband portable radios help Permian Basin agencies improve coordination to enhance public safety and incident response time....

27/11/2023

I bought a Stream Deck+ for After Effects, should you?

I bought a Stream Deck for After Effects, should you? Graham Quince November 27, 2023 0 Comments I decided to spend some of my hard earned your genero...

27/11/2023

Bypass the Export Mode in Adobe Premiere Pro

Bypass the Export Mode in Adobe Premiere Pro Colin Smith November 27, 2023 0 Comments This tutorial shows you how to use the recently added Export to M...

27/11/2023

Tegna, DirecTV Escalate Retrans Feud

With the college football and the NFL seasons hitting high gear, that can only mean one thing: another potential affiliate blackout....

27/11/2023

Meet the senior director of international field engineering

By TVBEurope Staff Published: November 27, 2023 Updated: November 28, 2023 Chris Fellows, senior director of international field engineering at Zixi, tel...