Avalanche death - BC March 27, 2008

[sledracer]

Alberta man killed in avalanche

The Canadian Press

March 28, 2008 at 11:51 AM EDT

A 45-year-old Edmonton-area man has been killed in an avalanche near Blue River, B.C., close to the Alberta border.

Clearwater RCMP say the man was engulfed while snowmobiling in an area known as Harley's Heaven, just south of Valemount, west of Jasper National Park.

The victim was with two other snowmobilers who managed to dig him out of the snow but could not revive him.

Search and rescue teams hope to recover the man's body today.

His name will not be released until next of kin are notified.

The death comes one day after the Canadian Avalanche Centre issued an avalanche warning for the B.C.'s Kootenay-Boundary region and the entire south Rockies.

 

[MARCUSO]

Damb.

That hits close to home.
I sure hope it is not anyone I know or know of.

My condolences to the friends and family of the victim.

 

[ericbigbore]

My thoughts are with the friends and familys..

 

[Viper5]

Condolences to the friends and families..

 

[EricW]

Yet another heartbreaker......Prayers to the family. EW

 

[CatWoman]

Thoughts and prayers to friends and family!!

PLEASE.....everyone be safe out there....with all of the snow we are continuing to get, the avy conditions aren't easing up any.

 

[Ex-Member]

Sad to hear... Ride safe

 

[holman6336]

RIP Be safe everyone!!!

 

[GrizTrack]

RIP...thoughts and prayer to the families, very high avy conditions in Idaho Panhandle this weekend....be safe everyone.

 

[Veedy]

One more - Too many.

Be careful everyone. Spring snow is heavy and slides will be relentless. Sad to hear of another death, so close to the end of the season. Still tons of snow in the mountains.

RIP, and condolences to family and friends.

 

[Summitstef]

Ride safe out there Lads, and ALWAYS frequency check the beacons before evey ride. Thoughts and prayers to the family

 

[Weekday Warrior]

sad


My condolences

2 days ago the avy report was extreme, I went out sledding in non-avy areas and the snow was whoomping, we'd park and feel the snow drop an inch or so.

 

[Sasksummit]

Very sad
My condolences

 

[Rock Star]

Always the worst thing to hear.

my sympathy to family and friends

 

[zacs]

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 )

 

[zacs]

The picture attached to the CAA report seems to be wrong.
For corrected details go to the thread in the Western Canada folder Avalanche Claims One at Blue River.

Sorry for the mix-up.

 

[boosted]

very sad. ride safe, this year has been very bad.......