Early Avalanche Fatality

[SledMamma]

I'm sure someone started a thread about this avalanche fatality in Utah already, but I couldn't find it. This is the link to the fatality report that was issued. I think we can all learn a little from the information posted here and remember that just cuz there ain't much snow yet, it can still slide!!

Accident: Cherry Hill 11/26/2010 | Utah Avalanche Center

 

[teeroy]

Accident & Rescue Summary:
Two snowmobilers from Evanston, Wyoming were riding in Humpy Creek drainage in the western Uinta Mountains. They accessed the area from the trailheads out of Evanston. They were both experienced, high-end riders and well-known in the commmunity. They did not plan to ride on steep terrain so they left their beacons and shovels in their vehicles at the trailhead.

One rider apparently decided to at least partially ascend "Cherry Hill" a popular snowmobile play slope in the drainage north of Superbowl. The other rider, playing on low angle terrain adjacent to Dennis, did not see him ascend but saw the dust cloud of the avalanche and there was a lone snowmobile track halfway up the bowl.

He assumed his friend was buried and did a quick search of the debris and did not find any surface clues. Since he had no beacon or shovel, he rode to a high point where he could call for a rescue and went back on the debris to continue searching. He eventually located the tip of a snowmobile ski sticking out of the snow, possibly with other riders in the area. Someome had an avalanche probe and they located the victim just uphill of his snowmobile. He was buried about 2 feet deep and he did not respond to recessitation.

An air ambulance arrived with an Alta ski patroller and his rescue dog but apparently the victim was found by the victim's partner and others in the area.

Total burial time is unknown, but believed to be over a half hour.

The avalanche was likely triggered by the weight of the snowmobile and its rider at mid slope. The avalanche broke up to near the ridge and was quite large 3-5 feet fracture crown and 600 feet wide and it descended to the bottom of the bowl. The snow structure is unknown, but believed to be a hard, wind slab deposited on a weak, pre-existing snowpack


"experienced high end riders" don't leave their gear in the trucks.....ever.

 

[steel town]

Accident & Rescue Summary:
Two snowmobilers from Evanston, Wyoming were riding in Humpy Creek drainage in the western Uinta Mountains. They accessed the area from the trailheads out of Evanston. They were both experienced, high-end riders and well-known in the commmunity. They did not plan to ride on steep terrain so they left their beacons and shovels in their vehicles at the trailhead.

One rider apparently decided to at least partially ascend "Cherry Hill" a popular snowmobile play slope in the drainage north of Superbowl. The other rider, playing on low angle terrain adjacent to Dennis, did not see him ascend but saw the dust cloud of the avalanche and there was a lone snowmobile track halfway up the bowl.

He assumed his friend was buried and did a quick search of the debris and did not find any surface clues. Since he had no beacon or shovel, he rode to a high point where he could call for a rescue and went back on the debris to continue searching. He eventually located the tip of a snowmobile ski sticking out of the snow, possibly with other riders in the area. Someome had an avalanche probe and they located the victim just uphill of his snowmobile. He was buried about 2 feet deep and he did not respond to recessitation.

An air ambulance arrived with an Alta ski patroller and his rescue dog but apparently the victim was found by the victim's partner and others in the area.

Total burial time is unknown, but believed to be over a half hour.

The avalanche was likely triggered by the weight of the snowmobile and its rider at mid slope. The avalanche broke up to near the ridge and was quite large 3-5 feet fracture crown and 600 feet wide and it descended to the bottom of the bowl. The snow structure is unknown, but believed to be a hard, wind slab deposited on a weak, pre-existing snowpack


"experienced high end riders" don't leave their gear in the trucks.....ever.

Son of a bitch, unless your east of the Mississippi river or riding in yo'daddy's farm field, why would you even get on a sled without a beacon ?

 

[catmando]

"why would you even get on a sled without a beacon ?"

Wow,Leave them in the parking Lot????????????????
catmando!

 

[BC Sno-Ghost]

Son of a bitch, unless your east of the Mississippi river or riding in yo'daddy's farm field, why would you even get on a sled without a beacon ?

Especially in that sort of terrain! That's gonna be a tough one for the survivor to swallow for the rest of his life constantly re-thinking that the beacons were back in the truck...

 

[SledMamma]

I think that there is a mis-conception out there that avalanches don't happen in the early season because not enough snow has accumulated and bad layers haven't had a chance to happen. WRONG!! There is already a weak layer buried in our snowpack, according to the CAC reports, and the cold weather last week will only preserve the faceting in that weak layer soooooo use your noodles out there Put your gear on your body and your brain into action!!

Never assume. It doesnt just make you and me an ass. It could also make you dead.

 

[Pistonbroke]

There was a very early season burial on Frisby Ridge last year after a huge dump of snow....

Early season snow just as, or even more, sketchy than mid and late season stuff!

 

[ferniesnow]

I think that there is a mis-conception out there that avalanches don't happen in the early season because not enough snow has accumulated and bad layers haven't had a chance to happen. WRONG!! There is already a weak layer buried in our snowpack, according to the CAC reports, and the cold weather last week will only preserve the faceting in that weak layer soooooo use your noodles out there Put your gear on your body and your brain into action!!

Never assume. It doesnt just make you and me an ass. It could also make you dead.

I have posted this as "Early avalanche" and I guess I missed this thread. It is in "Just about anything....", the Crowsnest section and the Kootenay section.
https://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f76/early-avalanche-39098.html

 

[SledMamma]

I have posted this as "Early avalanche" and I guess I missed this thread. It is in "Just about anything....", the Crowsnest section and the Kootenay section.
https://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f76/early-avalanche-39098.html

Don't think it hurts to have more than one thread for sure!! Those pictures you posted are pretty telling



I read this on the CAC site in regards to the snowpack in the South Columbia Region (Monashees and Purcells) :

There is up to 35 cms of dry light snow on the surface.The height of snow is about 100 cms at treeline in the Selkirks, and a little less snow in the Purcells. Expect the surface condition to vary dramatically with local wind effect. The smooth cold wind affected surface may create a poor bond for the light dry new snow. There is a rain crust buried 60-80 cm giving mixed results in stability tests. Isolated tests showing a “popping” (sudden planar) fracture character on this layer.

Link: South Columbia : Latest Bulletins : Bulletins : Canadian Avalanche Centre : avalanche.ca

 

[jaredszakacs]

I think that there is a mis-conception out there that avalanches don't happen in the early season because not enough snow has accumulated and bad layers haven't had a chance to happen. WRONG!! There is already a weak layer buried in our snowpack, according to the CAC reports, and the cold weather last week will only preserve the faceting in that weak layer soooooo use your noodles out there Put your gear on your body and your brain into action!!

Never assume. It doesnt just make you and me an ass. It could also make you dead.

seen the weak layer myself in golden 20-30 cms of solid rain crust and ice and 50 cms+ of loose snow on top bad news!

 

[SledMamma]

seen the weak layer myself in golden 20-30 cms of solid rain crust and ice and 50 cms+ of loose snow on top bad news!

AND THERE WE HAVE IT FOLKS....

 

[Thunderguy BOOSTED]

WTF?? I cant believe, you have your beacons and you LEAVE THEM IN THE TRUCK?? UMMM THATS NOT THINKING!!

 

[jaredszakacs]

ya we did our ast 1 up there with aaron and ryan of hangfire and sledshot and yeah definately a weak layer rite above bareground and atleast 50+cms on top of the ice didnt take overly much on compression tests usually took three taps on a moderate tap to get it to crack and move. this was also on a 35-38 degree slope so prime spot for a slide

 

[Thunderguy BOOSTED]

Guys, WE HAVE TO STOP THIS!! This is not a very good start!! We didnt learn anything if we repeat last year, now did we?

You go riding, you go with every single piece of avalanche gear you can get! If you can afford to sled, then you can afford a few hundred dollars of safety GEAR!

Lets not TRY TO REPEAT LAST SEASON BROs!

TO OUR FALLEN BROTHERS,. RIP

 

[Sleeper700]

Firstly, my condolences,

Secondly, did anybody notice the huge amount of detail about the avalanche on the Utah Avalanche page? They have a snow profile, pictures with explanations, videos, etc. It would be nice to have that much information about any avalanches that happen in Canada.

 

[jaredszakacs]

wow quite the info the utah center gives out! i goggle earthed the location looks like a pretty usual spot to go riding nothing overly steep but it just goes to show that the hills we think are safe and have been climbing for years arent always the safe places! please everyone take this tragedy to remind yourselfs that this kinda stuff happens and it usually happens on the slopes we think wont be dangerous! condolences to the family and friends of this tragedy but lets be smart out there no safety gear no ride!