Avalanche on the coal creek road near rolling hills ????

[Vertical-Extreme]

I was just reading the Avy report from last night for the south rockies region and there was a slide report write up for a cornice fall on or near the coal creek road near the entrance to the rolling hills. Seams like an odd place for a slide unless it was near the massive cornices near the coal summit
Anyone have any info ?

 

[ferniesnow]

Thanks to the victim for posting to the CAC. Very glad that this turned into a positive and not a negative experience. Probably wasn't very positive while it was in progress, eh! There is a lot of snow this year and some of the places are going to be big releases and potentially dangerous.

I don't know the area like the back of my hand and the location description, in the mind of the victim is very clear, but a little confusing to moi. As a groomer operator on that trail, the first hairpin turn is past Matheson (we call it the double switchback). There is another just past the Pages Draw corner. The final one is at the "entrance" to the Rolling Hills but more just a sharp curve. We have been watching the cornices build all winter with the alpine winds throwing those mega quantities of snow around.

Glad everyone was okay.

Date 2011-03-20
Location: Fernie Backcountry/Coal Creek entrance to Rolling
Location Description: Coal Creek Road entrance to first hairpin turn toward rolling hills, first big face on right (left once you have done the hairpin turn)
Province: BC
Mountain Range:
Coordinates: 0 0
Elevation:
Activity: Snowmobiling
Involvement:
Injury:
Fatality:
Description: The individual was riding on a well pathed ridge above the face that slid. He was well aware of the large cornice(s) and stayed even further away from the "normal" snowmobile path/tracks that were there due to this. All of a sudden there was a cracking noise, the individual looked toward the cornice thinking it was on the right side of him that was fracturing when it fact it was the left and he starting sliding toward the face (it was almost like the whole top of the ridge was connected with an elbow of snow and it seemed like an earthquake). The individual's sled fell beneath and was taken in the debris but the individual fell approx 20-30 feet from the broken cornice /ridge face straight down. The slide was viewed in full from the individual as he was dropping into where the slide just let go (literally a micro second from being in it). The snowmobile was thrown approximately 200 feet down the face. Snow boulders were the size of small cars leaving trenches 100 feet long and 10 feet wide. Large trees were broken like sticks. The individual now had an unsupported huge cornice above him that had not yet fallen (approx 20 feet above) therefore there was no chance of climbing up and fellow sledder rescue was too dangerous. The sledder let things settle including himself and proceeded to radio for friends which were able to come and view the scene and to be able to watch in case anything further happened. The individual then proceeded to slowly and carefully make his way down the already slid slope to his snowmobile that was turned upside down and partially burried and damaged. After approx 10 minutes he was able to turn the sled upright and slowly right the debris out to safety as there was no other choice that seemed feasable at the time.
Injuries: shoulder/bruising etc

 

[Vertical-Extreme]

Thanks to the victim for posting to the CAC. Very glad that this turned into a positive and not a negative experience. Probably wasn't very positive while it was in progress, eh! There is a lot of snow this year and some of the places are going to be big releases and potentially dangerous.

I don't know the area like the back of my hand and the location description, in the mind of the victim is very clear, but a little confusing to moi. As a groomer operator on that trail, the first hairpin turn is past Matheson (we call it the double switchback). There is another just past the Pages Draw corner. The final one is at the "entrance" to the Rolling Hills but more just a sharp curve. We have been watching the cornices build all winter with the alpine winds throwing those mega quantities of snow around.

Glad everyone was okay.

Date 2011-03-20
Location: Fernie Backcountry/Coal Creek entrance to Rolling
Location Description: Coal Creek Road entrance to first hairpin turn toward rolling hills, first big face on right (left once you have done the hairpin turn)
Province: BC
Mountain Range:
Coordinates: 0 0
Elevation:
Activity: Snowmobiling
Involvement:
Injury:
Fatality:
Description: The individual was riding on a well pathed ridge above the face that slid. He was well aware of the large cornice(s) and stayed even further away from the "normal" snowmobile path/tracks that were there due to this. All of a sudden there was a cracking noise, the individual looked toward the cornice thinking it was on the right side of him that was fracturing when it fact it was the left and he starting sliding toward the face (it was almost like the whole top of the ridge was connected with an elbow of snow and it seemed like an earthquake). The individual's sled fell beneath and was taken in the debris but the individual fell approx 20-30 feet from the broken cornice /ridge face straight down. The slide was viewed in full from the individual as he was dropping into where the slide just let go (literally a micro second from being in it). The snowmobile was thrown approximately 200 feet down the face. Snow boulders were the size of small cars leaving trenches 100 feet long and 10 feet wide. Large trees were broken like sticks. The individual now had an unsupported huge cornice above him that had not yet fallen (approx 20 feet above) therefore there was no chance of climbing up and fellow sledder rescue was too dangerous. The sledder let things settle including himself and proceeded to radio for friends which were able to come and view the scene and to be able to watch in case anything further happened. The individual then proceeded to slowly and carefully make his way down the already slid slope to his snowmobile that was turned upside down and partially burried and damaged. After approx 10 minutes he was able to turn the sled upright and slowly right the debris out to safety as there was no other choice that seemed feasable at the time.
Injuries: shoulder/bruising etc

Thanks Doug

 

[JaySimon]

Wow. Sounds pretty hairy, glad he is okay.

Tis the season for cornice failures.

 

[Longhorn]

Thats a bit scary...ok a whole LOT of scary...

 

[ferniesnow]

Did a little question asking with my buddies and so far we have come up with the east/west ridge right on the Summit.

That's the high ridge right above the burn at the entrance to the short cut to the cabin.

Not really sure if that is right but still checking it out.

We know of the cornices on the west side and that will usually slide....it is past it's prime so be prepared!

 

[Dobir]

I can not figure out where he is talking about either, left, right, not sure. if he went through a traumatic incident he may be a little mixed up. I will be there saturday to check it out.

 

[Teth-Air]

It sounds to me like it is the left side (facing the hill) of Coal mountain. Basically when coming up Coal road, your first open climb into the burned out area. Just follow the tree line to the ridge.

I would say 49°26'23.38"N, 114°53'30.56"W

 

[Magpi_49]

Teth-Air has it right - I was riding in the group with the guy who dropped through the cornice. 49.44452, -114.89099

 

[Vertical-Extreme]

Teth-Air has it right - I was riding in the group with the guy who dropped through the cornice. 49.44452, -114.89099

that makes more sense. glad he was ok

 

[ferniesnow]

Yes, that is the east/west ridge on the Summit.

Also glad he's okay! Be careful out there as the snow is getting heavy and if it hasn't slid it will be big.....