Wendy Thompson Avalanche burial.
Observed Mar 4, 2023, 1:30 p.m. PST · Southwest Coast
This report was submitted with an older form.
Quick report
- Comment
- Signs of natural avalanches in surrounding area, wind transport noted on all aspects with significant cross and reverse loading of previous storm snow.
- Snow conditions
- Wind affected
- Avalanche conditions
- Avalanche condition snow, Avalanche condition slab
Avalanche report
- Comment
- Sa triggered when subject cut below Rocky convex area, slide was triggered in a thin wind slab, resulting in propagation above into deeper wind loaded terrain.
- Run length
- 100
- Trigger type
- Skier
- Wind exposure
- Cross loaded slope
- Avalanche size
- 2
- Trigger sub type
- Accidental
- Start zone aspect
- SW
- Vegetation cover
- Sparse trees
- Avalanche character
- Wind slab
- Crust near weak layer
- Yes
- Number of avalanches
- 1
- Start zone elevation
- 1880
- Runout zone elevation
- 1780
- Avalanche observation
- 12hrsAgo
- Start zone elevation band
- Tln
- Avalanche occurrence datetime
- 2023-03-04T21:15:00.000Z
Weather report
- Comment
- Wind loading of previous storm snow, cross/reverse loaded pockets noted.
- Wind speed
- Wind speed moderate
- Blowing snow
- Light
- Sky condition
- Broken clouds
- Snowfall rate
- 1
- Wind direction
- NE
- Temperature trend
- Rising
- Precipitation type
- Snow
Incident report
- Group size
- 3
- Description
- Sa occurred when subject turned below rocky convex section triggering a thin wind slab that propagated upslope into deeper wind loaded terrain. Involved subject was carried downhill through trees and subsequently buried between 40-100cm. Subject rescued by partners and had sustained injuries in the avalanche. Pemberton SAR responded to the avalanche site and transported the subject via helicopter.
- Terrain trap
- Slope transition or bench, Trees
- Group activity
- Skiing
- Number involved
- 2
- Number fully buried
- 1
- Snow depth trigger point
- Shallow
- Terrain shape trigger point
- Convex
- Number partly buried impaired breathing
- 1