Avalanche
More terrible news is coming out of Patagonia today. The same day that JP Auclair and Andreas Fransson died in an avalanche in Chilean Patagonia, pro snowboarder/guide Liz Daley from Tacoma, WA died in an avalanche in Argentine Patagonia. This terrible day was Monday, September 29th, 2014.
29-year-old Liz was in the El Chalten area of Argentina snowboarding with the Eddie Bauer First Ascent crew on the popular backcountry ski mountain, Cerro Vaspignani, a 7,000-foot peak near the famous Mount Fitzroy. She was riding with pro snowboarder Chris Coulter, pro skier Drew Tabke, mountain guide Kent McBride, photographer Chris Figenshau, and filmer Nick Kalisz. The avalanche occurred at 2pm local time on September 29th, 2014.
Liz’s body was recovered the night of the accident on September 29th by Argentine military and rescue teams. She reportedly was snowboarding when the avalanche struck.
Liz had just joined the Eddie Bauer team and this was her first trip with them. She was very excited for the trip and wrote this on her social media page the day before the avalanche:
“Whelp! That was sick. The weather and conditions are absolutely unbelievable here in Patagonia. AH! Somebody pinch me! Shit, I might need a roundhouse kick.” – Liz Daley, September 28th, 2014
Statement from Liz’s sponsor, Eddie Bauer:
“We are deeply saddened to report that yesterday, an avalanche in the Fitz Roy Massif region outside of El Chaltén, Argentina, took the life of Liz Daley, a member of our Guide team.
Liz was on a ski mountaineering expedition with three other members of our snow sports team and two production crew members. The rest of the team is safe.
Liz was an accomplished splitboarder, alpine climber and mountain guide who was born and raised in Washington. She was a beloved member of our snow sports team and will be sorely missed by all those who knew her.” – Eddie Bauer
Liz’s Bio, written in her own words:
“Liz has been snowboarding since age 10 and has always been in love with the mountains. She graduated with a degree in Environmental Education because of her lifelong passion for the outdoors. After climbing Mt. Rainier for the first time her thirst for big mountains grew stronger everyday. The most obvious choice was to go to Chamonix, France the world mecca of big mountains and steep riding. Five seasons on and off in Chamonix have vastly improved her respect for the mountains and skill as an alpinist and climber.
She started guiding with the American Alpine Institute three years ago and is currently working on getting her credentials through the American Mountain Guide Association. Liz has summited and descended on splitboard numerous impressive peaks and faces in the Cascade range and beyond including Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Shuksan, Eldorado and Mt. Shasta to name a few.
She has a couple first snowboards descents as well. Liz has left her tracks on the razor sharp aiguilles surrounding the Chamonix Valley. Liz’s highly confident style of riding and climbing is demonstrated in her penchant to attain more first snowboard descents and to continue working as a guide and towards her AMGA certifications. Her intense commitment to the mountains is reflected in her positive attitude and feminine flair. Liz inspires girls with confidence to attain their own personal peak, whatever the elevation may be.” – Liz Daley website
We send out our deepest condolences to all who knew Liz. Our heads are swimming after all this death in the mountain especially since we are based in Patagonia this summer. This hits hard and close to home.
I’m trying to find the study that shows what happened to the team, why they didn’t attempt to dig her out, how did they check for conditions, etc. But Can’t find antyhing. If someone could let me know, that would be helpful.