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Avalanche Incident Report: 2/17/2010 : Backside Raft Mountain near Clearwater, BC. Bowl known as "Fro Bowl"

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Forecaster Posted: 02-19-2010 12:15 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: 2010-02-17 10:30
Description: Backside Raft Mountain near Clearwater, BC. Bowl known as "Fro Bowl"
Coordinates: 51 44'42" 119 48'12" (Geographic (long-lat) NAD1927)
Mtn Range: Cariboo Mountain Range Province: BC
GROUP INFORMATION
Activity: Backcountry Skiing
AVALANCHE INFORMATION
Number: 1 Size: Size class 3 Type: Slab avalanche
Trigger: Sa
Dimension: 450m wide; ran for 500m; average slab depth of 75cm.
Failure Pl.: Old - SH/FC (2010-02-08)
Starting Zone: Location: Treeline at approx. 1981m.
Character: N; 40 degrees; Lee Slope(s); Broad Open Basin.
Fracture line profile dug in side wall of avalanche path at 1938 m. Aspect: west; Incline: 35; HS 246; Air Temp: -7; Time 14:30; Date 100218. We found 100208, SH size 15mm down 40 cm, layer 1 cm thick. This layer was the top failure plane 100% of the slide. The deeper layer 100124 SH released 62 cm down in 80% of the bowl feature. This layer was 6 mm size SH. The bed surface was facets size 1.0 mm. And this layer was 300 kg/m3. The upper snowpack ranged from 160 to 220 kg/m3.
Comment:
INVOLVEMENT INFORMATION
Number of people involved: 2 partially buried - breathing not impaired; 1 completely buried.
Number of people injured: 1 injured and 1 deceased.
WEATHER AND SNOWPACK INFORMATION
Weather: Observers nearby noted a brief period of intense solar heat near the time of the accident (10:30am). They described water dripping off the trees near the avalanche site.
Snowpack: Soft slab avalanche was mostly low density (160 to 220 kg/m3). This made extraction somewhat easier. Fracture line profile: CTM (11/12) PC x 2 @ 8 cm in storm snow. CTM (16/22) RP x 2 @ 41 cm on 010208 SH. CTM (17/24) SP @ 59 cm on 100124 SH.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Three recreational skier sledded 15 km up Spahats Creek Road 80 and ascended "Fro Bowl" (a local name). During the ascent at about 10:30 am the slide was triggered by the skiers from a height of about 2000 m. All three had a ride of about 200 m. Two partial burials, on completely buried. All recovered within 40 minutes. Avalanche was a large size 3. One skier had injuries that he did not survive. Group of three did self rescue without help until they made it to the road.
ATTACHMENTS
No attachments.
Date and Time of Report: 2010-02-19 11:04
The CAC Forecaster Team thanks the observers for
their contribution to avalanche safety in Canada!
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