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Avalanche Incident Report: 1/16/2009 : Fatality Clemina Ck-Valemount, B.C.-Cariboos

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Forecaster Posted: 01-18-2009 4:06 PM
Canadian Avalanche Centre - Avalanche Involvement Report

Avalanche Involvement Report

 Canadian Avalanche Centre
This report was submitted to the CAC by British Columbia Coroner’s Service in the interest of public safety.
The CAC makes no claim as to its authenticity or accuracy. Use and interpret at your own risk.
DATE, TIME AND LOCATION
Date/Time: 2009-01-16 13:00
Description: Fatality Clemina Ck-Valemount, B.C.-Cariboos
Coordinates: 52.31865 118.57751 (Geographic (long-lat))
Mtn Range: Cariboo Mountain Range Province: BC
GROUP INFORMATION
Type: Unknown Activity: Snowmobiling
Size: 7
AVALANCHE INFORMATION
Number: 1 Size: Size class 2 Type: Slab avalanche
Trigger: Ma (2 Sledders on slope as it released)
Dimension: 100m wide; ran for 200m; average slab depth of 150cm.
Failure Pl.: Old - FC/FC (2008-11-30)
Starting Zone: Location: Treeline at approx. 2300m.
Character: E; 40 degrees; Lee Slope(s); Convex Roll(s).
Many rocks in start zone, slab fractured to ground in depth hoar around rocks.
Comment: They were very familiar with the area and had ridden on this slope many times. All were very experienced sledders, equipped with ABS packs, shovels, and beacons. They traveled directly past an avalanche located on the same face, but at a slightly lower elevation and to the right, and proceeded to ride the hill for at least 20 passes. Two of the sledders were traveling up the hill, one ahead of the other, making left hand turns. The others were parked. The first sledder turned lower than the second and witnessed the release of the slide above and behind him, with the second sledder near the fracture line. The second sledder proceeded in a downward direction driving his sled at a high speed, when he was ejected from the sled after it appeared to impact something. The sled flew out of the path of the avalanche and continued down the mountain. The second sledder was trapped in the avalanche and was buried under approximately 5ft of snow. The first sledder located the buried man with a probe and beacon, and he and the other group members dug him out. His ABS pack had not been deployed.
INVOLVEMENT INFORMATION
Number of people involved: 1 completely buried.
Number of people injured: None.
WEATHER AND SNOWPACK INFORMATION
Weather:
Snowpack:
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
ATTACHMENTS
No attachments.
Date and Time of Report: 2009-01-18 14:53
The CAC Forecaster Team thanks the observers for
their contribution to avalanche safety in Canada!
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Forecaster replied on 01-18-2009 5:24 PM

 

  • Some photos to go with the report
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Vanessa replied on 01-18-2009 6:35 PM

Were there fatalities and avalanches at Clemina creek this past weekend? We usually ride there and are planning a trip in the upcoming week or so, just wondering if this is where the avalanche and fatality was last week/weekend?

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151hotdog replied on 01-19-2009 10:11 PM

Where is this, looks a lot like its between the wind tunnels and bowers last chance

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Forecaster replied on 01-20-2009 10:59 AM

Yes, this is a report of a fatal avalanche involvement, which occurred in the Clemina Cr. area on Friday, Jan. 16th. Check out this discussion forum for another report of avalanches in the Clemina Cr. area on Thurday, Jan. 15th.

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