Leland Niskey used an ice ax to stick it to the side of the mountain
A climber has opened up about the “sheer unbridled terror” felt when an avalanche struck about 400 feet above the ground. Leland Niskey was climbing the ice at the top of the Ribbon in Ore, Colorado, when an avalanche struck. He was alone, uncontrolled and aware of the route’s reputation for issuing large avalanches, according to to climb magazine – but on the morning of 8 February showing a low danger forecast, he decided to proceed with the climb. What happened after that was one of the most terrifying experiences of his life.
An Instagram video shows Mr Niskey using an ice ax on the side of a mountain. When the avalanche hits, he is forced to use his second ice ax to secure his place as snow continues to fall on him. All this happened when he was at a height of 400 feet above the ground.
“It’s hard to tell in the video, but I was under a bulge of snow, which means I didn’t see it coming,” the climber told Climbing magazine. “I was actually turning my hand to hit my instrument. It was horrible.”
A video shared earlier this month shows Mr Niskey being bombarded with snow clinging to dear life.
“Such incredible footage and an extraordinary display of skill and strength!” One person wrote in the comment section on Instagram. “Super scary stuff,” commented another.
Speaking about how he survived the two-minute avalanche, Mr. Niskey said, “I knew if I kept on fearing I might die, so I focused on controlling my breath, Hug tightly to the wall to prevent ice build-up on my body, and lowered my head to breathe in a tiny air bubble.
“I believe the only reason I live is because I focused on my breath to control my fear response, rather than the fear itself,” he said.
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