Incident Summary
- Date
- 2009-03-21
- Location
- Whitewater Creek
- Location Description
- near Blue River
- Province
- BC
- Coordinates
- -
- Elevation
- 2100 m
- Activity
- Snowmobiling
- Involvement
- Injury
- 1
- Fatality
- 1
- Description
- The group was snowmobiling in the Whitewater Creek area near Blue River. They were moving from bowl, gradually increasing their high marks, although it appears as though the survivors considered that they were making conservative terrain choices on account of the poor avalanche conditions. The deceased and one other headed to a mid slope bench and triggered the avalanche. The survivor managed to ride out of the avalanche. The deceased was dragged through sparse trees and was found partially buried in the snow with his breathing impaired. The deceased's ABS pack had been deployed.
Avalanches
| Date/Time | Size | Type | Trigger | Elevation | Aspect | Slab width | Slab Thickness |
|---|
| 2009-03-21 15:00 | 3.0 | Slab | Ma | 2100 m | SE | 400 m | 120 cm |
Weather
| Present Temp | Max Temp | Min Temp | 24hr Trend | Wind Speed | Wind Direction | Sky Condition | Precipitation Type & Intensity |
|---|
| - | 3 | -5 | - | S | S | SCT | - |
Weather Comment: 40 cm snowfall and strong winds from S in past 48 hours. Signs of thaw instability observed. Mod solar radiation at time of avalanche.
Moderate solar radiation at time of avalanche.
Snowpack
| Snowpack | 24hr Snow | Storm Snow | Storm Date |
|---|
| - | - | 40 cm | 2009-03-19 cm |
Snowpack Comment: Widespread natural avalanche cycle 24 hrs to size 4
Huge load and wind in past week
Documents
| Document Date | Title | Source | |
|---|
| 2009-03-23 | Clearwater Valemount - Avalanche Near Blue River Claims Alberta Man | RCMP Valemount | view |
| 2008-03-28 | Man Dies in An Avlanche Near Blue River *Update* | RCMP Clearwater | view |