- Submitted by
- WSAR
- Observations date
- Monday, February 7, 2022 at 00:30
- Location
- 50.168951° N 123.083050° W
- Reporting on
- Snow conditions
%2F-123.08305%2C50.168951%2C8%2C0%2C0%2F1026x200%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1IjoiYXZhbGFuY2hlY2FuYWRhIiwiYSI6ImNqd2dvZmUxdzE4ZWg0M2tkaXpuNG95aTQifQ.pBLM87fE3sIxRJqJT7Bf7g&w=1200&q=75 "Hanging Lake Area - Spectrum Peak - WSAR response")
Information
- Activity
- Snowshoeing
Group details
- Total in the group?
- 6
- People fully buried?
- 0
- People partly buried with impaired breathing?
- 0
- People partly buried with normal breathing?
- 0
- People not injured (caught but not buried)?
- 0
- People injured (caught but not buried)?
- 0
- People involved?
- 0
Terrain details
- Terrain shape at trigger point
- Convex
- Snow depth at trigger point
- Shallow
- Terrain traps
- Gully or depression
Comments
WSAR response to assist snowshoe party of two, that are part of a group of six. Group reached drainage gully at base of spectrum peak, and two party members decide to turn back and return to trail head. Remaining four ascend to summit of Spectrum Peak. Two members of the party begin descent, with two remaining on the summit. Subsequently the two on the summit report seeing 'cracking', and hear the sound of snow sliding and decide they are unwilling to descend, and call for assistance. Upon helicopter approach WSAR members view evidence of a size 1.5 avalanche with a deep deposition area in a creek bed feature. Snowshoe tracks within, and around deposition area and toe of slide are also observed. Helicopter lands on the summit, and upon discussion with the two subjects requiring assistance, are notified that the avalanche was not visible on their ascent, and they have been attempting, but have not had any mobile phone correspondence with any of the other four members of their group since they split up. Also determined that none of the party of six had transceiver, probe or shovel. Based on this information response protocol is escalated, and a standby CARDA dog team is notified, and probing of the avalanche debris is about commence. Thankfully within that timeframe, mobile phone contact is obtained with the other members of the party who are all accounted for and descending to the trailhead. Upon later discussion with two members that descended the summit, they noted walking around the avalanche deposit area which was not present on their approach. The deposit covered their approach tracks.
