Avalanche Claims One At Blue River

It is a VERY Sad day today....

A Avalanche Claimed a Sledder from Alberta today.

The Group is staying in Valemount.

Three went to a Area known as " Paradise " or " Harley Heaven "

One fellow went ahead of the other Two and set off a Small Avalanche...

His Sled rolled over Him and pinned Him underneath His Machine , by the time the other Two got to Him and dug Him out....It was to late...He passed away on the Mountain.

PLEASE Play Safe out there !

Please always check this web site before heading into the Backcountry !.....

www.avalanche.ca

My Sympathy goes out to His Family and Friends....

very sad news....my condolences to family and friends

I spoke with the Canadian Avalanche Assn. Today....

They will be putting info. on their website.

www.avalanche.ca

PLEASE PLAY SAFE OUT THERE........

Blue River has Clear Sky's and Bright Hot Sunshine !!

The Conditions coming Down the Mountain in the Late afternoon are VERY Different than When You Go Up the Mountain in the Morning !

The Snow Changes Drastically !!

It is a MUST that People should have Extensive Avalanche Training and have Extensive Knowledge of the Area when heading into Extreme Terrain !

With that ALL said....Go to this Website for info. Blue River is the North Columbia Area there.

www.avalanche.ca

newfiedoo said:

very sad news....my condolences to family and friends

Click to expand...

newfiedoo !

OMG !! .....

They were Guest's of Valemount .....

The Conditions in Blue River are VERY different from Valemount.....

It makes good sense to Check the Avalance Conditions for the area anyone wants to Sled in....

Talking with Local Certified Avalanche and Backcountry Specialist makes good Sense.

Snowmobiling is AWESOME Recreation.

When the Canadian Avalanche Centre Puts out a Special Bullitin ! Yikes !!!

Pay Attention Mother Nature is VERY Unforgiving in the Mountains.

When the Adreniline is flowing it is Easy to forget....

Then....Some People Pay the Ultimate Price......

I hear He was a OUTSTANDING GUY !!

I feel for His Family and Friends.....

Very sad to hear...My condolences to his family and friends...Kinda made my heart skip a beat when I read this thread as a group of about 20 of us are heading to valemont next weekend for a few days...I've never ridden the area before and am looking forward to the weekend, but I just thought of my 6 and 9 yr old kids after reading this....Where is this area where this avalanche happened? I have driven by allen creek and climina parking lots when I was on my way to Kamloops...but like I said, have never ridden the area before and I want to go out and have a great weekend with the guys and stay away from any potential hazardous areas...

Again, my condolences to the family

My condolences to family and friends

goforit said:

Very sad to hear...My condolences to his family and friends...Kinda made my heart skip a beat when I read this thread as a group of about 20 of us are heading to valemont next weekend for a few days...I've never ridden the area before and am looking forward to the weekend, but I just thought of my 6 and 9 yr old kids after reading this....Where is this area where this avalanche happened? I have driven by allen creek and climina parking lots when I was on my way to Kamloops...but like I said, have never ridden the area before and I want to go out and have a great weekend with the guys and stay away from any potential hazardous areas...

Again, my condolences to the family

Click to expand...

If you want to stay safe hire a guide and listen to him/her. In valemount give Tony Parisi a call (250) 566-9161

Very sorry to hear.. My condolences...

Canadian Avalanche Centre Special Message !!

The Snowpack remains Complex and Variable.

Current Danger Ratings while technically Accurate , do NOT tell the Full Story in Terms of Risk Management.

A Fatal Avalanche involving a Sledder occured on March 27 in the Caribou's and Failed on a Presistent Weak Layer 100cms. Below the Surface.

Recent Concern's about Presistent Weak Layer's in the Monashee's and Selkirk's are now Extended to Include the Southern Caribou's. ( South of Valemount )

See the March 24 and March 26 Forecast's for more Detail's regaurding Presistent Weak Layer's in this Region.

www.avalanche.ca

Thank you for the info, I very well might give this guy a call...I know alot of the guys that I'm going with have been there before but I haven't had the chance to ride with them (all guys that I work with) I will save the number in my phone though...Thanx again!

For a Guide in the Blue River area call ..

Robin Tyacke ....Owner Blue Jewel Snowmobile Tour's & Rentals.

250-673-BLUE ( 2583 )

Thanx I will save that one as well

I will have some pics to post when I get back...Thanx again guys for all the info

Thank You Marcuso !

You are Right !

Condolences to family and friends
RIP

Very sad news indeed. RIP fellow sledder.

Sad to hear about another loss in our sport. Condolances to family and friends. Any names released yet?

It was very sad to read about this today.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the riders touched by this accident.

I was on the web to post our last avy classes for the season when I came across this CAA Avalanche Incident report. It includes this photo and a Snow Profile that was completed near the fracture line.



I have added comments in red to the Snow Profile in case readers would like a better understanding of the symbols and the terms.




Snow Profile Blue River Avalanche Accident

The thread posted in the Western Canada forum discusses using the services of a guide.
Hiring a guide with avalanche training is a great idea. The obvious reason is for their added degree of experience with the snow, their familiarity with the local terrain, and their knowledge of the current LOCAL avalanche conditions. But remember, there is a second, longer term bonus; the opportunity for you to be introduced to new riding areas. This is easily worth the investment in your guide!
I am aware of a couple of snowmobile guides from this part of the province with avy training.
CAA ITP Level 2 - Tony Parisi - Snowfarmers - Valemount 250-566-9161
CAA ITP Level 1 - Robyn Tyacke - Blue Jewel Snowmobile Tour's & Rentals.
250-673-BLUE ( 2583 )

avalanche mar. 27 Blue River.

Hello fellow sledder; I was with Ron in his last moments doing what he loved most (second to family and friends he sledded with). We had been to this area at least 7 times over the last three years. I had taken a avalanche course a few years ago and feel that I can notice bad things most of the time.
Me Ron and most of the guys we ride with have been doing this for 13 years or more. On this day there were only 3 of us. It took us 2.5 hr to climb through the alpine about one mile. When we got to the top the snow and sun were every sledders dream. Deep and bright. We were like baby calfs in the spring sledding around boondocking and having fun. We stop for a minute to take pic, then off I went first with Ron behind. I climb this small hill(about 200 ft high) first then Ron. When he came down I went again only making it half way and came back down . The snow was at least 2 ft or more deep. Went I got turned around things had happen Ron was buried. Me and Zeke the other sledder started to work, Zeke had seen the sled roll 2 times and thats where we started to search. In about five minutes we probed something hard and started to dig. We dug down about 8 ft and found the sled up side down. Probed again and found something on one side, dug and a leg appeared. We dug more and realized that we were going the wrong way. His head was on the other side of the sled. Had to dig down about three more feet and found his head. The sled was right on his chest. It took about 40 mins. to do all this. Got him out and started cpr for about 40 mins. At that point we made one of our first hard decissions, to stop. Our next tuff choice was who goes for help, Zeke left and within mins. came back and said splitting up was wrong. So we both left with the intent to get a chopper and come back. About 2 pm. Went to Esso for help, was told by 911 that it would take 2 hours to get rescue together, so went to VI Helecopters and was told it would take 15 min and we would leave to get Ron. In the mean time rcmp called and said that we were not to recover the body only get gps marks. It took rcmp until 10:30 the next day to get Ron out. He had to stay out all night. That was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. The last hard thing was telling his wife. If this happens to anyone get them out how ever it takes on your own. Sledding to me is one of my most passionate things in life. I just can't wait until winter comes and mad when its over. Now I'm not sure if I can go back, So sledders be careful and take care, this can happen at any time on any hill, plaese prepare for this . Calahookid & Zeke