Avalanche
Photo of the deadly avalanche on Mount Trelease, CO. image: colorado avalanche information center, 2/14/21[/caption]
3 people died in avalanches in the USA yesterday, February 14, 2021.
2 people died in avalanches in Colorado yesterday, February 14, 2021.
1 person died in an avalanche in Montana yesterday, February 14, 2021.
A snowboarder died in a tree well at Jackson Hole Ski Resort, WY yesterday, Februray 14, 2021.
2 people died in avalanches in the 2-days this weekend in the Whistler, B.C., Canada area.
19 people have died in avalanches in the USA in the past 16-days making this the deadliest avalanche cycle in US recreational history by far.
A backcountry snowboarder was killed in a large avalanche in Colorado on February 14, 2021, on Mount Trelease.
A snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche west of Rollins Pass, CO on February 14, 2021.
A backcountry snowboarder was killed in an avalanche in Beehive Basin near Big Sky, Montana on February 14, 2021.
We have outlined each avalanche death’s preliminary reports below.
These were the 23rd, 24th, & 25th avalanche deaths in the USA this season.
These were the 17th, 18th, & 19th avalanche fatalities in the past 16-days.
These were the 9th & 10th avalanche deaths in Colorado this season.
Snowboarder Avalanche Fatality on
Mt. Trelease, CO Avalanche Fatality:
PRELIMINARY: A backcountry snowboarder traveling alone was caught, buried and killed in an avalanche on February 14, 2021. Searcher and Rescue personnel found the tourer buried with a deployed avalanche airbag. Part of the airbag was visible in the avalanche debris, but the tourer’s head was covered (partial burial-critical). The avalanche occurred around 9:30 AM. It ran on an east-facing slope above treeline, on a terrain feature known as Pat’s Knob, elevation 12,304 east of Mount Trelease.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of the person involved. We will publish more information as it becomes available.
- Colorado Avalnache Information Center
Snowmobiler Avalanche Fatality West of Rollins Pass, CO
PRELIMINARY: A snowmobiler was caught and killed in an avalanche west of Rollins Pass. The avalanche occurred on an east-facing, above treeline slope of Mount Epworth. When the avalanche stopped, the snowmobiler was buried underneath his sled on Pumphouse Lake.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of the person involved. We will publish more information as it becomes available.
-
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Snowboarder Avalanche Fatality in
Beehive Basin Near Big Sky, MT
On February 14, 2021, at 11:44 AM a pair of splitboarders triggered an avalanche in Beehive Basin north of Big Sky. They were ascending the slope when the avalanche occurred. Both riders were swept down slope into trees. One was not buried and did not sustain any injuries. He immediately called 911 when he heard his partner yelling for help. The second rider sustained multiple injuries after getting drug into the trees by the avalanch. He was partially buried in snow.
The injured rider was evacuated via helicopter to Big Sky Medical Center and subsequently flown to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital where he later died from his injuries. Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of those involved.
- Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Tragic but not unexpected. With all the newbies in the backcountry nowadays there are bound to be more incidents. Unfortunately it is making things more dangerous for long time users. In my 38 years of backcountry skiing I’ve never seen so many people out, That’s great they are getting out and enjoying it all but there is bound to be some Darwinism going on. To keep myself safe I’m going farther back and started skiing the back-backcountry.
My condolences to those who lost loved ones.