"There's a sense that some people are angry because the risk that was always present was actually realized." --Dr. Grande

I was into rock climbing when I was a much younger man. One of the "experts" told me he never went on "lead climbs" because rather than being the safety mechanism it's purported to be, it's actually a suicide pact. The problem with experts is that they will go so long without any problems, that they become overconfident and start to cut corners.

My son died in an avalanche backcountry skiing a little over a year ago. He was with two "experts" according to the county sheriff. He had even purchased an extra snowmobile so the three of them could ski together. I told him they we going to get him killed, but of course he didn't listen. The sheriff said he'd give these "experts" my number, but they never called.

I had a friend who loved hiking. He died in his 20s when he fell off a cliff. At his funeral his hiking friends made a point of saying that he was always safety conscious and never wreckless but the risk of tragic accident is always there and each of them accepts that risk in the pursuit of the joy and fulfilment this activity brings to their lives. So while it's absolutely tragic and unwanted that a life is cut short, it was a life lived to the fullest.

I've always seen or heard of people buried and dying in an avalanche, but not being ripped apart. That's sad really.

"On planet Earth gravity is on by default" [12:22] Dr. Grande's humor is so crafty :)

An axiom I learned during outdoor adventure training remains true: "Nature is **always** trying to kill you."

I find your sarcasm and desert dry delivery refreshing and delightful, happy subscriber.

March 21 is already quite late in the season to undertake that kind of activity in Switzerland. Snow is usually more stable in the second half of January and in February. There are two kind of avalanches: dry ones (unstabilized fresh powdery snow, occuring mostly at the beginning of the season or after days of heavy snowfall) and wet ones (mostly at the end of the season). In March whole patches may become instable, and snow is mostly old and therefore well stabilized but can loose its connection with the ground as the layer touching the ground might melt. So large sheets of snow may suddendly break off. And it's rather heavy, compacted snow, too, which then rushes downwards, taking everything with it. There's basically no way of getting out of that kind of heavy snow by oneself if buried 6 feet under. Looks like the guides did only have a partial understanding of the dangers, otherwise they would have avoided steep slopes at that time of year. Detailed forecasts for avalanche risk were already available online in Switzerland when this unlucky chick wasn't even born.

I was in Vail in 2023 on a ski trip and read about this accident. Sad this happened to someone so young but if you've lived and played in the mountains, whether it's Colorado or Switzerland, you have a different mind set about them. Interestingly, in 2023 the back bowls of Vail were closed when the warm weather conditions in early April created avalanche conditions. They didn't reopen for the rest of the season.

You don't have to ski or even climb. Just hiking a trail can be deadly in a mountain. One foot slip, one tiny tumble, and you can go over an edge, or just fall and hit your head on a rock. I love mountaineering, and reduce risk as much as I can, but I know each time I go out can quite reasonably be my last.

“Lucas in an effort to test the stability of the snow would occasionally stick a ski pole in the snow and stomp on the ground. Using these highly sophisticated and scientific methods he was unable to detect any critical weakness in the surface” 😂 Your sense of humor is classic. Very sad story, condolences to the families.

I have several friends that knew her :( I believe she was a ski racer... Tony Seibert, whose grandfather (Peter Seibert) founded Vail, also died in an avalanche in 2014 at the age of 24... I was a ski racer for 13 years and qualified for the Junior Olympics 7x. I never have and never will ski in the backcountry. My dad was heli skiing in BC in the 70's and the other group was caught in an avalanche...he and others in the group that were in the helicopter at the time had to dig up all of the dead bodies...my dad dug up two friends... please know what you are doing if you go into backcountry -- even expert Olympic ski racers (famously Buddy Werner) die in avalanches. Edit: Shame on those of you calling her deplorable names…smdh … just because her parents were rich?!

I was in a warzone at 20 years of age. My comrades and I were highly skilled but knew that our environment at that time was never present during the morning briefings.

This has everything to do with the true dangers of delegation of risk/trust of authority. The parents & students delegated the risk to the school. The School delegated the risks to the guides. The Guides were reckless. The true risk was obscured. Many small or large scale disasters can happen exactly this way.

Very sad. I think that kind of wealth CAN cause a person to lose their gut instinct to some degree. Everything is on a platter for them unlike someone whose life is just normal. Being in the norm you use your gut more and your common sense thinking skills, too....because you simply have to.

"If there was an avalanche, maybe it would not take out the entire group." Nice to know he used hand grenade defense tactics for mountain climbing.

That time of year is also the most dangerous time for avalanches as parts of snow and packed ice can warm and then slip and then create massive force as it gains momentum…argh.

I did basket weaving for my college days

I got chills when you said the guide chose a steeper slope. He should have quit while ahead.

Omg I didn't know an avalanche could literally rip someone apart..what a horrible way to go. Even if she wasn't ripped apart first, a 600 hundred foot fall was next.

Things happen, my childhood was nonstop dangerous activities. Most of us make it out alive, some do not.

Question - How do you say expensive without saying expensive? Answer - Switzerland.

Same school - same incident - same death of a 15 yr old in 2006.

The mountains are indeed extremely unforgiving. You can do everything right and still have an accident.

Not the *"She sold the most Girl Scout cookies in her troop"* = her parent's got all their family/freinds/staff & patients to buy them.

The inherent risk is what makes it an attractive activity to some people.

"failure is not an option, as long as the tuition check clears," = all of higher education

young people tend to think they will live forever. It is hard to suppress this, and doing so would take out some of the joy of life.

She was an experienced back country skier and knew the risks. Sad. But at least she died doing something she loved.

dude, you're my new favorite. keep being as logical and deadpan as you have always been. 5 stars. :)

So sad, baby girl was living this life to the fullest. RIP.

"On the planet earth, gravity is on by default." Damnit, Doc. Your dry humor makes it really hard to keep a straight face during a video about a tragedy. 😂

RIP Emily and Archie. ❤

This was 100% negligence. Those "experts" put those kids in danger and should be held responsible

At 57 my first thought was why would she go skiing and risk hurting her bum knee?🤔 Oh to be young again!😃

Interesting to hear Swiss law. Agree guides were partly responsible & didn't understand the risks❄️🎿Great analysis again, esp regarding Emily's intent. Thanks Dr G😊💙💙

I never even thought that a body could be ripped apart by snow but now I have learnt how much of an impact avalanches have!

Enjoyed today's analysis even more than usual, Dr Grande. Thankyou, it was thoughtful, to contrast the way the idea of "risk" may be interpreted, with regard to the perspective that a young adult may have. Also the fact that sometimes the protection of a wealthy family can expose the youngsters to situations that involve risk, without them having a previous awareness of just how dangerous a "risk" can be.

Life is full of risks. If you do risky things, you're increasing your risk.

What a sad story.

Hello Dr. Grande and viewers! 💙 Proud Patreon Supporter Here! Tysm for all your hard work Dr. Grande! 👏Bravo! 🙌

Skiing can be dangerous at any level.

Oh sweet, new Dr. Grande sub genre of moderately wealthy women encountering tragic ends ontop of mountains. This one was real sad.

sometimes adventure will result in tragic outcomes very sad for their family, but I applaud the families continuing support for outdoor adventure programs

80,000$ a year to learn pottery and silversmithing? For that kind of money, I would think that the students would be lectured by Nobel Laureate physicists and NASA astronomers.

A similar tragedy happened in Calgary at Strathcona Tweedsmuir, the leading private school here. A huge avalanche took out a group of students on a field trip. So tragic

This was very interesting to me, as I grew up about 10 miles away of where this disaster has happened. Horrible and sad. Thank you.

Sometimes a lack of money can save lives. Also, "On the planet Earth, gravity is on by default." Boy, is it. My dislocated shoulder can attest to that.

Really sad end. My sentiments to the family!

My heart breaks so much for parents who lose children. You pour so much into them, just to have them taken away from you in a second.

Great vid Dr Grande

Always interesting Thank you❤

Always amazing content daily ❤

RIP, Emily 🥺💔

I got to ski St Moritz when I was young, it was an amazing environment. Our parents bought us a two weeks worth skiiing instruction, but we only had time to complete one week. Even as inexperienced as I was, I was maybe 13-14, our ski instructor allowed me to ski all the way down the slope by myself... I fell several times, but it was a blast...So rules aren't always kept even w/ younger students

I feel so sad knowing that she died such a painful death. May her soul rest in peace

Excellent commentary and analysis. Thank you, Dr. Grande.

So sad. I feel for the parents.

I really appreciated how thoughtfully you addressed and articulated the various nuances of this tragedy,

Sometimes we , and our children , are better off growing up just plain normally.

Thank you for covering this interesting topic for us, Dr. Grande. ❤ I find your videos informative and calming every day. ❤ When I see a Dr. Grande video, I always say, “It’s Grande time. Let’s do this.” ❤

Todd's pronunciation of French is a crime against humanity

Dr. Grande has uploaded! Yay! 🎉 So addicted to your channel! Love you! Stay healthy and safe! ❤

Peace to their families. 😢

I love that through your sassy digs and jokes you always manage to be respectful and straight faced while telling these people's stories. Unlike true crime youtubers Ive watched before you who just crack up between every sentence for no reason.

Too warm and too late in the day😢

Great assessment.

Great coverage

This is such a sad situation. Thank you for your careful analysis of the risk factor that so many people seem to enjoy. It’s the risk that is enjoyable but that means it’s dangerous. I will never understand stand this behavior but have family members who live by it.

"Somewhat accountable" is a phrase.

I'm pretty sure if you go backcountry skiing anywhere in the world, eventually your luck is going to run out.

NEW DR GRANDE UPLOAD YIPPEE!

Gruesome but an excellent analysis…thank you Dr. G 🌵

😂 Dr. Grande- I hope u don't mind me saying- ur Francais or Romande (what we call the french language in Switzerland 🇨🇭) est terriblé absolutement! I found ur pronunciation quite amusing... I needed that today! 😆🃏🙏🏼

Dr Grande, your evaluation here is absolutely correct. Back country skiing is part of the culture among locals in ski areas and Emily's tragic death had nothing to do with her family's financial means. I agree the guides should have exercised more caution, especially because the students were young and so vested in trusting their expertise. My condolences to her family on the loss of their child. However tragic, Emily lived her life to the fullest and died doing what she loved. That is a gift most people who live for decades never realize.

Dr grande Could you do a case on that lady that drove her car into a birthday party in Michigan on Saturday.

Like the Titanic submarine disaster.... never mind, Dr. Grande just said it! 😊

Thanks so much for another great video.... Although tragic and horrifying, this young lady died doing what she loved most. I do not know many who were not that fortunate.

Dr Grande your voice is so calming!💓 You are appreciated 👍 Please make videos of your voice so I can sleep🙏💓

Follow up please Dr Grande when you hear any new developments. Thank you

Please cover the kansas moms case!

This area of the Swiss Alps has a sad reputation for tragedies due to poor judgment in connection with high risk activities in the wilderness. In the past years there was a highly publicized catastrophe in the canyoning sector and a bungee jumping death (they took the long rope instead of the short one). High risk excitment seems to be an important selling point for the region, also beyond the private school sector. If the local experts are too cautious, people will go somewhere else. That's not an excuse but maybe an explanation.

Thanks Dr.

It’s a sad fact of life that nobody is ever guaranteed tomorrow. That said, professional guides have a duty to follow professional best practice. It seems to me that all the ingredients for a possible wet avalanche .were present and they should not have chosen that route but I’m just a layman. To err is human. To forgive is also human with a dash of divine. My condolences to the families of these two young people.

This sounds like a death you’d see in Final Destination.😬

Thank you Dr. Grande…and Rest in Peace dear Emily and dear Archie. ❤❤❤From Jean.

over the years, I have met a few people that attended a select school. At least most of them seemed so shallow, they seem to bring nothing to the table, except arrogance. I suppose some are also very intelligent, seeing the world as it is, and themselves as just another human being. I didn't meet that type.

Thr Stardust fire happened 48 years ago. Forty eight people died and hundreds where left injured . Today, over 43 years later the families and friends of those involved finally got a verdict and an apology from the state, 43 years they had to wait for someone to acknowledge there pain and suffering.

I have been backcountry skiing for over 40 years in BC Canada. I can say with absolute certainty that backcountry skiing is NOT an activity where the participants have a "significant risk of dying". Yes, there are risks, but there are infinite ways through proper education and appropriate equipment, of minimizing those risks. I and most of the folks I ski with, would not have skied that slope, in those conditions, where the avalanche occurred. Another day, different conditions, perhaps yes, but it's always a matter of evaluating as you go, and not being afraid to tell the group, "sorry guys, it's not a good day to ski this".

Boy! Extra great comments on this one!

If the avalanche risk is any anything other than zero, my ski trip is cancelled.

I like this vid. Good insight. The risk of the entitled will always exist. without using highly sophisticated and scientific methods.

I am happy to feel alive and rejuvenated just having a walk in nature without flying down a hill on skis. The risk is too high for me personally! I know I'm very boring..

This is a really sad story

There is a great article about this young girl and family in the Washington Post.

It's horrible. Students trusted their guides and guides have a duty of care.

Here in the U. P. of Michigan there is a yearly crop of deaths involving snowmobiles or drowning. Nearly always they are tourists unfamiliar with the difficulties.

I had no idea that an avalanche could do that to your body. Poor Emily!

7:05 - Good grief.