Close Call - Bow Yoho traverse

Activity

Skiing

Total in the group?

3

People partly buried with normal breathing?

1

People injured (caught but not buried)?

1

People involved?

2

Reported to parks Canada

Reporting an avalanche, 28 March, 1430-hrs, size 2 (big enough to bury or injure), soft slab, storm slab, caught and partially buried 1, on west aspect about 500 meters southwest of Guy Hut. Slide path approx 40 x 40 mtrs, crown measured 20-30 cm, debris field approx 180 cm deep, bed surface was solar crust.

Party of 3 was skiing from Stanley Mitchell to Guy Hut. Soon after skinning onto the incident slope, third skier felt a large collapse. Skiers were trying to link the small benches during climb to hut and expected the suspect slope to have a high potential for slide, yet only saw worse alternatives. Skier 1 & 2 positioned in a "safe" area while skier 3 continued to climb. The slab released approx 30 mtrs above skier 3 and did not involve skiers 1 or 2. Skier 3 had an air bag pack, but saw no need to deploy it; self extricated and continued the climb. No injuries or broken equipment.