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Archive Index - All Editions

Skier partially buried, injured in avalanche near Eisenhower Tunnel

A skier is recovering from an arm injury following an avalanche on Tuesday, April 30, in a backcountry area near Interstate 70 and the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels. The man was descending an open area above a narrow chute near the Whistler Cliffs area south of Coon Hill before the slide occurred. He found a patch of wid-drifted snow that was not wet in the bowl and decided to travel further into the chute. As he was exiting, a wet avalanche struck him from behind. He ended up on top of the avalanche debris except for his legs and was able to dig himself out before skiing to his car and seeking medical care for his arm injury.
More ... (Vail Daily)

Avalanche Canada warns of high avalanche danger

May 8: In a recent update, Avalanche Canada says the mountains across much of the Southern Interior are entering a period of “all melt, no freeze,” with high temperatures expected throughout the region. While they have stopped producing avalanche forecasts for most of the province due to the end of the winter season, high to extreme dangers ratings have been posted for areas along the B.C.-Alberta border, near Banff and Kananaskis Country, while warnings have also been posted for the Rogers Pass area. [These areas have forecasts by Parks Canada which still issues warnings even though Avalanche Canada has put away the skis.]

“The deep persistent layers that were dormant with the recent cool temperatures are expected to 'wake up' with the first major warm up and solar input. Avalanches may run to the valley bottoms,” Avalanche Canada says. “Expect a natural avalanche cycle on the prominent Feb. 3 mid-pack crust on all aspects and all elevations that still hold snow. Avalanches may step-down to ground and shed the entire winter's snowpack.”
More ... (Castanet)

Two skiers, 23 and 32, killed in Utah avalanche

Two backcountry skiers were killed and one was rescued after they were buried in an avalanche Thursday (May 9) in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City that occurred after several days of spring snowstorms. A rescue team went to the area mid-morning after the avalanche was reported near Lone Peak in the Wasatch Range southeast of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said. One of the skiers, who was able to dig himself out of the snow, was rescued and taken to a hospital, Rivera said. She said she believed he was the one who called for help.
More ... (Avalanche-Center.org)

Idaho Skier Killed in Avalanche

Just one day after two skiers were killed in an avalanche in Utah on May 9, another skier was killed in an avalanche on Donaldson Peak in Idaho’s Lost River Range on May 10. Two experienced backcountry skiers were descending for their ski run when one skier triggered and became caught in a small wind slab avalanche around 11:55 a.m. The slide carried the skier downhill, triggering a second, larger avalanche, burying him under at least 5 feet of snow.

The slide occurred on the southeast aspect of the slope at 11,600 feet. The second skier used a satellite communication device to call for help before descending the avalanche path. She located the buried skier with her rescue transceiver and probe pole, dug him out of the snow with her shovel, and began CPR. Search and rescue teams responded and evacuated the buried skier, but he did not survive the accident.
More ... (Avalanche-Center.org)