1 Attachment(s)
Valemount - Skier Fatality Feb 23, 2021
Looking at the MIN reports this morning and came across this incident. Hasn't seemed to hit the local media yet, and some parts of the reports around date and times do not appear to be consistent. Report suggests that a SOS device was interferring with the searchers' ability to locate the fully buried subject. :eek: :frown:
From the MIN report:
"Party travelled up trees on the west side of slope. Circled around to top of slope to avoid a concerning area of wind loading. At start of slope, skiers descended one at a time and regrouped near the base of the slope below an outcrop of trees. Transitioned to skinning and started an up track over existing ski tracks. Group discussed possible terrain trap to the east. Second person felt a settlement and notified party. Shortly after a much larger settlement occurred and triggered a wind loaded section at ridge line. This triggered remaining slope. All parties were caught in the ensuing avalanche. Two members had avalanche airbags and deployed them during the slide. One member came to rest face down, head down but was able to clear their face and remove their backpack to initiate SOS. self extricated and initiated beacon search. Travelled upslope and found second member face up, head down and partially buried. Assisted in their extrication and continued beacon search for third missing group member. Unable to obtain signal and believe SOS device was negatively affecting search function (intermittent signal found and chased from 70m to 20m before lost, numerous times). Search and rescue arrived on scene at 5pm."
And from the incident report:
"Three skiers were caught in an avalanche estimated to be 400 metres wide and 50-140cm deep. The slide ran approximately 800 metres, nearly to valley bottom. The avalanche was likely remotely triggered from below the start zone after whumphing was reported to have occurred. Two people were partially buried and able to self rescue but could not locate the third person who was fully buried. Due to failing light SAR teams were not able to locate the missing skier on the day this incident occurred. The recovery mission found the deceased third skier the following day.
While unconfirmed, the characteristics of this slide and evidence of other avalanches in the area that look like they occurred at or near the same time, suggests the January 24th persistent weak layer is the failure layer. This layer is known to exist in many parts of the Northern Rockies as well as other ranges throughout British Columbia.
This report is based on preliminary data and may be updated if more information is received.
This is a Mountain Information Network post describing the incident."
Attachment 364798
https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-in...a-cae3f24efbd9
Edit: From The Rocky Mtn Goat: https://www.therockymountaingoat.com...-of-valemount/
Vibes to the friends and family of the deceased.
