Skier Triggered 2.5

Activity

Skiing

Total in the group?

1

People not injured (caught but not buried)?

1

People involved?

1

Terrain shape at trigger point

Planar

Snow depth at trigger point

Shallow

Terrain traps

• Gully or depression

Solo skier triggered Sa a large full-depth avalanche within the first 2 turns of Miner's Gully and was carried 500 to 600m down the feature. No burial, no injuries, one lost pole. Incident was witnessed by third party that called 911. Once it was confirmed that the solo skier was ok, the debris was searched with a helicopter external transceiver and RECCO device with no other clues found.

Avalanche initially triggered on basal facets in shallow snowpack start zone. Lower down the avalanche appeared to fail as a wet slab. Air temp during the search ranged from +8C to +12C depending on elevation.

This avalanche serves as a good reminder of why it is important to star early and finish early during spring conditions. It is a very clear example how stability can dramatically deteriorate with intense daytime warming. This increases the probability of triggering loose wet and/or dangerous deep persistent and wet slab avalanches.

(Note: the party visible in the last photo is of the 2 climber who had reported the avalanche and were attempting to initiate a rescue until Kananaskis Mountain Rescue Arrived. They then left the scene and removed themselves from avalanche terrain once the helicopter was on the scene.)