The Documentary Podcast Surviving an avalanche
Jan 17, 2026
Corey Richards, a mountaineer and author, shares his harrowing experience of surviving an avalanche on Gashabram 2, detailing the chilling moments of being partially buried. JT Holmes, a professional skier, discusses his terrifying time trapped under snow and the profound impact of PTSD following his rescue in California. Benton Hodges, a backcountry skier, recounts a destructive avalanche in the Teton range and highlights the teamwork involved in his rescue. The trio delves into the psychological aftermath of such events, exploring coping mechanisms and the challenges of returning to the slopes.
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Thrown By The Air Blast
- Cory Richards and two partners were hit by a large avalanche while descending in the Karakoram and were tied together and partially buried.
- An air blast and debris threw them several hundred feet but they ended up mostly on the surface in the deposit zone.
Buried For Minutes, Rescued By Guides
- JT Holmes was swept down a face, funneled through a chute and buried about a meter under snow after more avalanche hit behind him.
- He was rescued after about six to seven minutes using avalanche transceivers and probing, and he credits his guides for saving him.
Teton Gully Avalanche Survivors
- Benton Hodges and three friends triggered a large D3.5–D4 avalanche in the Tetons that funneled into a gully with debris 20–30 feet high.
- Everyone survived; Charlie was pinned and snagged by a tree and the group used radios and tracking watches to locate him before helicopter rescue.