Avalanche
A snowmobiler has been killed in an avalanche in northeastern British Columbia. The incident on Saturday, January 27, marks the province’s first avalanche fatality this winter season reports Avalanche Canada.
The accident occurred in the Hasler Flat area, approximately 175 miles north of Prince George. The victim was snowmobiling in a chute near tree-line when they triggered the avalanche that carried and buried them.
“One snowmobiler was caught and buried in an avalanche in the Hasler riding area, west of Chetwynd. The rider was located and extracted by other snowmobilers who attended the scene, but did not survive.
The avalanche happened in a chute feature at treeline elevation. The east-facing start zone was reported to be wind-loaded. It is suspected to have failed on a layer of facets that formed earlier in January. The avalanche ran for approximately 250 m.
Data about this accident is limited, due to the lack of daylight and elevated avalanche danger experienced by rescuers on scene. Updates may be provided if more information becomes available.”
Avalanche Canada has assessed the avalanche’s severity as a 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5, indicating its ability to bury an individual. The slide, with an approximate length of 800 feet, was triggered on a layer of facets that had formed earlier in January.
Other snowmobilers on the scene attempted to extract the victim but unfortunately they succumbed to their injuries. Due to the imminent risk of further avalanches and the fading daylight, rescuers were unable to gather comprehensive data from the site.
Avalanche Canada strongly urges skiers and snowmobilers to exercise caution and avoid avalanche-prone areas, especially in light of the current unstable snowpack conditions prevailing across British Columbia.
The fatality is the second avalanche-related death in Canada this winter, and the sixth in North America.
