Avy deaths in BC. 3 rescued/ 5 still missing

[_AJ_]

Avy deaths in BC.

I just saw a news flash about 8 sledders caught in an avalanche in Fernie BC. They were only able to rescue 3 of them before it was to dark and they had to pull out. The police confirmed that there was fatalities but did not say how many.

RIP


AJ

 

[christian]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/12/28/fernie-slide.html

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

"Eight snowmobilers are unaccounted for and feared dead near Fernie, B.C., after an avalanche buried some of them — and a second avalanche buried their would-be rescuers."

"a second avalanche buried the entire group, all of whom were wearing avalanche beacons."


"The RCMP statement, which described the situation as a tragedy, said all 11 riders involved are males from the nearby town of Sparwood. It did not give their names or ages."

"Unstable conditions will likely persist for a while into the future. Knowing when to back off and when to let 'er loose is the mark of a wise backcountry traveller — thumb off the throttle is a good move right now."

 

[ReTodd]

This sux.....the avy danger is really, really high right now. Bottom 3 feet is so dry that it never adhered to the mountain. Now we have 3 feet of heavier snow over the top of it. I am afraid there will be more to come. Now is a good time to be a meadow whore.....

 

[BIGSKINS]

This sux.....the avy danger is really, really high right now. Bottom 3 feet is so dry that it never adhered to the mountain. Now we have 3 feet of heavier snow over the top of it. I am afraid there will be more to come. Now is a good time to be a meadow whore.....

I second the meadow whore if I ever get up their....



Big

 

[deepdiver]

http://www.nwac.us/

I just saw a news flash about 8 sledders caught in an avalanche in Fernie BC. They were only able to rescue 3 of them before it was to dark and they had to pull out. The police confirmed that there was fatalities but did not say how many.

RIP


AJ

Hey AJ..good seeing you Sunday on your way home from Baker..Nice Rig!

The latested news reports I saw today showed 11 buried with 8 missing in the BC slide. Some of the BC casualties were going up on the slab after the first Avy to help with rescues and another slab let loose.


In Colorado there were two more killed in another Avy.

Our condolences go out to the family's and friends of these fellow riders.

We all have to keep abreast of snow conditions and Avalanch danger reports. We as Snowmobilers need to get in a habit like putting in gas to check and adhere to Risk assesments. The old adage of "well there are lots of tracks and that will make safe is not true!"

One of the very first performance upgrades anyone should by is an Avy beacon.

If you ever come across an active Avalanche rescue/search it is IMPERATIVE that you switch your beacon imeditely to Search weather you are involved in the effort or not. Always have a probe and shovel with you at all times.

I have been on rescues of some of the whimpiest little slopes that any one could go up that you just wouldnt think would be a avalanche area...however if the conditions are right all it takes is a trigger.

Here is the link for local Avy info USE IT!
http://www.nwac.us/ on the Home page in the upper left corner there is a "Quick Links" drop down button..use it to get to Avy Forcasts quickly!

Ride safe so you can ride again! M.W.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

One of the very first performance upgrades anyone should by is an Avy beacon.

If you ever come across an active Avalanche rescue/search it is IMPERATIVE that you switch your beacon imeditely to Search weather you are involved in the effort or not. Always have a probe and shovel with you at all times.

Here is the link for local Avy info USE IT!
[SIZE="6"][B]http://www.nwac.us/[/B][/SIZE] on the Home page in the upper left corner there is a "Quick Links" drop down button..use it to get to Avy Forcasts quickly!

Ride safe so you can ride again! M.W.

Already stored in my "Favorites" in the Snowmobiling file of websites.
People need to get into the habit of checking this site BEFORE they decide where they are going to ride so they can make an informed decision.

 

[V-Man]

This is heartbreaking and my prayers to out to all the families involved.

This horrible accident really shows the risk involved after a slide has occured. The avy rescue training I had with the ski patrol always had 1 person who's job was to watch for another slide and warn the others. It seems like a waste when they could be digging, but the reality is if the entire slope didn't come down the first time it is likely there is alot of unstable snow hanging on the slope above the rescue.

Everyone please be careful out there!

 

[_AJ_]

SNOWPACK SYNOPSIS
New recent snow amounts over the past two days range from
about 6 to 18 inches. This recent snow has been exposed to
moderate winds that have created unstable conditions at
higher elevations. 1 to 2 feet of heavier denser snow exists
below the surface snow with very weak snow near and above
the ground.

The stronger snow in the mid snowpack may mask the dangers
of a slide releasing on weak snow near the ground. The
current snowpack conditions are very complex and highly
variable according to elevation, aspect and locale.
Backcountry travel is currently not recommended above about
5000 feet.

Thanks for the link Very clear and easy to dicifer imformation.

See ya in the Meadow!!

AJ

 

[christian]

Prayers to all the families.

A reminder !!!! Keep close eye on where you park and dont become a victim of a triggered or a natural slide.

 

[MAC29]

They found the last rider( eight died-three survivores) More info on the western canadian(bc/ab) forum. People died trying to save others. Very tragic and very sad indeed.