Mt. Bachelor has posted a warning on its website about the dangers of tree wells and a caution to always ski with a buddy. I had never given that warning much consideration untilJan. 23, when I nearly lost a good friend.

Four of us were skiing the trees in an area between Ed’s Garden and the Down Under runs. We were all experienced skiers and were stopping every few hundred yards to regroup. On the next leg I took off first, followed by Dick, who fell and totally disappeared, skis and all, into a tree well. He was trapped feet down and totally covered by snow. He could only move his head and one hand. Fortunately Bob and Mike were only a distance above, and — after about 45 minutes of frantic digging — they were able to pull him out. Dick was unhurt but significantly shaken up by his ordeal. There is no way he could have dug himself out and no one would have seen or heard him, even from only a few feet away. The tree that created this tree well was a small sapling, barely above the surface of the snow, and there was no well or depression showing at the surface.

I developed a whole new appreciation for the dangers of tree wells that day, and I encourage everyone who loves to ski the trees, as I do, to heed Mt. Bachelor’s warning and use extra caution when the snow is soft and deep.

Don Pederson

Bend