Dobir
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AVALANCHE RISK IS HIGH
Class 3 avalanche in McDermid triggered by snowmobiler at 11 am on March 22 (south of Fernie). This report was supplied by one of the snowmobilers at the site.
The avalanche released on both sides of Planetary ridge, into Mercury and McDermid Bowls. The soft snow slab propagated 600 meters with a 1-2 meter crown on the North Aspect of McDermid, and 200 meters with a similar crown on the South aspect of Mercury. The debris fields were up to 6 meters deep & littered with broken trees.
The sled was stuck at the top of main pitch in McDermid, just under a small cornice, and the slab released when moving the sled. Fortunately the young man from Sparwood was able to scramble onto the ridge as the sled went down.
The slide came down between passing riders in Mercury Bowl. When we reached McDermid a transceiver search was performed where we saw tracks entering the debris frield and no tracks leaving. With no results, we moved on & located the trigger party some 10 minutes later & at that time all were accounted for.
The young man who triggered the slide had followed his dad onto the pitch. He had no knowledge of avalanche conditions & did not appear to be aware of the present danger. Others in the group chose not to ride the slope & were out of the slide path, however did get engulfed in the resulting powder cloud.
All parties accessed the terrain by Tunnel Creek (by Elko tunnel). Over 40 snowmobiler's & 10 skiers were @ Tunnel at the time of the slide. Everyone was put at risk due to the vast propagation & complicated terrain. The slide crossed the main trail in 2 locations. This was an example of how a slide triggered by an unrelated party could put you at risk.
The CCA report identified the danger as HIGH and cited recent activity. Skier triggered avalanches @ both Island Lake & Fernie Wilderness Adventures happened this past Thursday & Friday. The Island Lake incident was serious with the person involved requiring transport to Calgary via STAR's air ambulance.
PLEASE USE EXTRA CAUTION WHEN TRAVELLING IN THE BACK COUNTRY - THE RISK IS VERY HIGH THIS YEAR.
Class 3 avalanche in McDermid triggered by snowmobiler at 11 am on March 22 (south of Fernie). This report was supplied by one of the snowmobilers at the site.
The avalanche released on both sides of Planetary ridge, into Mercury and McDermid Bowls. The soft snow slab propagated 600 meters with a 1-2 meter crown on the North Aspect of McDermid, and 200 meters with a similar crown on the South aspect of Mercury. The debris fields were up to 6 meters deep & littered with broken trees.
The sled was stuck at the top of main pitch in McDermid, just under a small cornice, and the slab released when moving the sled. Fortunately the young man from Sparwood was able to scramble onto the ridge as the sled went down.
The slide came down between passing riders in Mercury Bowl. When we reached McDermid a transceiver search was performed where we saw tracks entering the debris frield and no tracks leaving. With no results, we moved on & located the trigger party some 10 minutes later & at that time all were accounted for.
The young man who triggered the slide had followed his dad onto the pitch. He had no knowledge of avalanche conditions & did not appear to be aware of the present danger. Others in the group chose not to ride the slope & were out of the slide path, however did get engulfed in the resulting powder cloud.
All parties accessed the terrain by Tunnel Creek (by Elko tunnel). Over 40 snowmobiler's & 10 skiers were @ Tunnel at the time of the slide. Everyone was put at risk due to the vast propagation & complicated terrain. The slide crossed the main trail in 2 locations. This was an example of how a slide triggered by an unrelated party could put you at risk.
The CCA report identified the danger as HIGH and cited recent activity. Skier triggered avalanches @ both Island Lake & Fernie Wilderness Adventures happened this past Thursday & Friday. The Island Lake incident was serious with the person involved requiring transport to Calgary via STAR's air ambulance.
PLEASE USE EXTRA CAUTION WHEN TRAVELLING IN THE BACK COUNTRY - THE RISK IS VERY HIGH THIS YEAR.
