Sierra Samaritans - National Ski Patrol

❚ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
He also says his experience as a mountaineer assists him in
his patrolling, because it provides a level of confidence in his
skills and allows him to understand his limitations. “Ski
patrolling has also taught me how to travel safely in a winter
environment and to be able to survive the coldest of nights with
minimal gear,” he points out.
When asked to share what inspires him about his fellow
patrollers, Reneker explains that patrolling with volunteers with
different backgrounds is very rewarding. “Seeing people give up
their weekends to help ensure a safe and fun experience for the
public has given me an appreciation for everyone in NSP,” he
says. “My best friends are those I have gained in the ski patrol,
and I consider them to be part of my extended family.”
If there’s an unsung hero on the patrol, it is probably Lizza,
who’s called patrolling a profession for more than 20 years (five
at June, 15 at Mammoth, and a few years tossed in at Crystal
Mountain in Washington and Las Leñas in Argentina). Diem
speaks highly of him, saying Lizza has the ability to look at the
big picture instead of what’s in front of him, which gives him a
great eye for risk management—a key characteristic of a good
patroller. Lizza grew up in the Central Sierras and was a junior
racer at Mammoth Mountain. He nonchalantly points out that
he “knows June Mountain pretty well and can get anywhere
pretty quick.” Translation: This guy is a great skier. But the
impressive qualities don’t stop there. If you happen to have a
copy of his book, The South American Ski Guide, you might
know that this patroller with a penchant for ski history is also a
skillful writer.
Some might say that the majority of ski and snowboard
patrollers are determined—after all, these people have a great
deal of responsibility on the hill and in the aid room. But every
so often a patroller demonstrates such “stick to it-ness” that he
or she accomplishes remarkable feats in the face of insurmountable
odds. Meet Patty Giebel, a 25-year patrolling veteran and
prime example of a patroller who goes above and beyond the
usual levels of determination.
Take, for instance, the time she was attending Certified-level
evaluations at Mammoth Mountain. During one of the clinics
Giebel developed appendicitis and was whisked immediately
down the hill to the hospital. Doctors removed her appendix that
day, but instead of begging off on the clinic—as most people
would do after surviving this experience—she returned to the hill
the next day and passed her avalanche exam with flying colors.
As if this scenario doesn’t prove the point, there are others
that are perhaps even more impressive. In early 2004 Giebel was
in a serious bike accident in which she sustained a broken nose
and neck and stopped breathing. Fortunately her husband,
Mark, happened to be with her, and was able to maintain her
spinal alignment and keep her airway clear until more help could
arrive. After the accident Giebel was placed in a halo to support
her neck. Two weeks later, instead of calmly recuperating at
home, she went to Squaw Valley, California, to attend yet another
Certified clinic.
One of Giebel’s passions outside of patrolling is endurance
running, and nothing seems to get in the way of that rigorous
pursuit. Despite her condition she decided to train for a big race
from Agoura, California, to San Diego, California, a 60-mile,
12-hour run. While still in her halo, Giebel worked out as she
normally would—running, trail running, and doing strength
training. Doctors eventually let her graduate from the halo to a
hard C-collar. Two weeks later she entered the race and not only
completed the run but won first place in the woman’s field and
second place overall in both the mens’ and women’s divisions, a
rare feat for a woman in prime condition (let alone one with a
broken neck).
With folks like Francisco, Diem, Reneker, Lizza, and Giebel
around, it’s not difficult to imagine that new patrollers at June
Mountain have good mentors. Then again, some just take to
patrolling naturally. One such newbie is Tony Golden. The
2003–04 season was his first as a patroller, but you wouldn’t
guess it from accolades he receives from Francisco: “Tony is a
self-starter who tackles projects with enthusiasm and completes
them competently, requiring little or no direction.” Golden
shrugs off his hard work, saying “I’m just into it.”
That much is clear. Golden completed his candidate training
within his first month of patrolling at June, spending 12 days on
the mountain in the first 20 days the area was open. Overall, during
the 2003–04 season, he devoted more than 400 hours to the
June Mountain Patrol in on-hill and off-hill duty time.
Golden asserts that his experience at June Mountain has
taught him a lot in just a short time.“From the beginning I’ve been
placed in the ‘deep end,’ working scenes right from the get-go.”
Originally from the East Coast, where he grew up skiing in
the ’60s at a small resort with a strong family atmosphere,
Golden says he is looking to recreate this feeling with his family,
and June Mountain is just the place to do it. Hence, he had a
hand in recruiting his wife, Lynn, to also help out at the area. Full
of positive energy and a real go-getter in her own right, Lynn
helped initiate June’s mountain host program and served as one
of the area’s four original mountain hosts during the 2003–04
season.“June is special because they care about every person who
comes to the mountain,” she says.
Clearly, they’re doing something right at June Mountain.
Between the camaraderie, training, and downright dedication to
making a safer go of the slopes they love, area management and
this small group of patrollers work magic in the shadows of
Mammoth. And while big sister might be more well-known,
little sister June is no wallflower. ✚
Ingrid Tistaert, former assistant editor for Ski Patrol Magazine, now works as a
freelance writer and editor. She lives in Tahoe City, California.
14 Ski Patrol Magazine | Winter 2005