Backcountry
Avalanche
According to the Elko Report, two skiers were reportedly buried and safely rescued after an avalanche was triggered in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada. It was reported that the slide occurred on January 15 at 1:26 pm in Lamoille Canyon, located in northeastern Nevada. The Elko Report also noted that all members of the party are safe and free of injuries. It was later determined that the avalanche occurred during a Ruby Mountain Heli (RMH) tour.
According to RMH guide, Mike Royer, no one was buried in the slide. Royer responded with this comment regarding the Elko Report.
“There was one individual involved, no one was buried or extracted, and no injuries occurred whatsoever.”
In the image below, it is confirmed that there was a helicopter in the area and that it appears there are two individuals on the slope.
The Ruby Mountain Range is located in remote wilderness in northeastern Nevada and sees little recreational use. Currently, there is no avalanche forecast for the area. Undoubtedly, the snowpack is still slowly healing as it recovers from a persistent weak layer within its snowpack that is creating dangerous avalanche conditions.
I’m wondering, might avy forecasts from the Sierra and/or Utah sometimes provide useful “clues” about avy conditions in the Rubys?
Ex.
“Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Eastside Region
Issued Monday, January 15, 2024 – 7:00AM
Expires Tuesday, January 16, 2024 – 7:00AM
Author Steve Mace
THE BOTTOM LINE
It remains likely for humans to trigger large and destructive avalanches at any elevation today. Persistent slabs can fail with little warning and act in surprising ways. You could trigger an avalanche today from a distance or in areas you may typically think of as ‘safe.’ When in doubt, use terrain choice to limit your exposure by sticking to lower slope angles without overhead hazards. …
Continued at https://www.esavalanche.org/forecasts/#/forecast/1/129102 ”
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“Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Central Sierra Nevada
Issued Monday, January 15, 2024 – 7:00AM
Expires Tuesday, January 16, 2024 – 7:00AM
Author Andy Anderson
THE BOTTOM LINE
People could still trigger avalanches 2.5 to 6+ feet deep today in sheltered or exposed areas where weak snow lurks below the surface. The largest avalanches remain possible in places where wind blown snow has piled up on top of the buried weak layers. If you see signs of unstable snow, like recent avalanches, cracking, or collapsing, or if you have doubt about a slope, using low-angle terrain not connected to steeper slopes can help reduce the chances of triggering an unexpected avalanche. …
Continued at https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/forecasts/collapsethemenu=yes#/forecast/1/129096 “
My friend was one of the people buried in this slide. He was buried almost neck to shoulder deep. So Mikes comment should say there was not a full burial, because at least one person relied on being dug out
Who knew there was heli skiing in Nevada