Large Avalanche in McBride - Renshaw Jan 29 - 17 involved - 5 Passed RIP

[Summitric]

yup, when we're with you, we've always gone down and around... only side hilled above that once, when we were rushing back with a storm moving in....

 

[thebigm]

I was with Rod and Steve from SARs on Friday and our group was first on scene. Very tough day for all involved. My condolence go out to all the friends and family's of this terrible event.
Here is a google earth pic of the exact location of the Avalanche.

 

[bbtoys]

Just to clarify, this is over the last saddle as you are starting to make your decent down onto spirit?

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no before that. dean 10 has the best track pic on here, pin point B at the top left side of the pic. if looking at the pic this is the spot were you have to do a bit of a sidehill at the base of the mountain between the mountain and the creek. no other way to get to spirit but this. pinch point of riders going in and riders trying to leave the area. nobody was playing on the face.

 

[bbtoys]

yup, when we're with you, we've always gone down and around... only side hilled above that once, when we were rushing back with a storm moving in....

would not have mattered if you were at the bottom by the creek as this avy ran through and down the creek. it does slide a bit but nothing as big as this in all my years of spirit lake riding.

 

[Bnorth]

McBride avalanche 1st responder speaks out on culture of sledding - British Columbia - CBC News

Terrific article Barry. Thank you for clarifying the attitude that most sledders are responsible backcountry users.

 

[Summitric]

would not have mattered if you were at the bottom by the creek as this avy ran through and down the creek. it does slide a bit but nothing as big as this in all my years of spirit lake riding.

yup, total terrain trap with that creek before the trees... and you probably wouldn't see the avy coming, because of the ridge above.... sad... just a nasty place to get caught in

 

[2010m8]

I would like to start out by thanking the search and rescue and any of the other groups that came upon the Avalanche and helped dig out are sleds at the top. I want let everyone know that this was not because some one was trying to climb for the fun of it. It was a simple mistake made by somebody in an effort to help others get out of the area. We followed tracks in and knew we would make it out the same way. We started to make are way out from the lake area as weather looked like it might have been starting to turn and didn't want to be back there if it did. once a couple of us got up and on top of the hill where it slid we sat and waited for the rest of are group to make it. A couple of other groups showed up and we flagged them down to let them know that it was tough climb out as they were on smaller tracked sleds. As we waited for the rest of are group to come up a couple sled passed on the higher side trying to go down the hill and a few moments later another sled went by and the under side let loose. After he cleared and the small portion came down there was no longer any support for the upper larger portion that let loose. That's the one that swept everything away. Myself and my father were partly buried at the top and everyone else was taken down. Neither of us were able to deploy are packs and that is what may have kept us from going all the way down. As every one that did get theirs pulled was swept away. Everyone was fairly calm while trying to locate any buried. I walked all the way down searching for anyone and by the time I made it from top of the hill down, all but one was found and uncovered. We ended up finding the last person well at the end of the slide path. By then SAR was on seen and let us know chopper was on its way. I set my spot off at 1:25. And took a screen shot of the exact location. Again I want to thank everyone involved with SAR and everyone else on the site for the positive support.

***after re-reading this again I went back and fixed a few things to make it more clear as using a phone to make such a long post is not the best thing for this.***

I would like to also add that even with AST training and all gear you might think your prepared for it if it happens. But in reality panic sets in really fast. It took a little bit to gather myself after I got us free. It's something that I don't think you can really prepare for.

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[rknight111]

Wow, thanks for sharing this the community. People can certainly see this and gain some knowledge that may prevent this from re-occurring. Sorry for the loss of your friend.
RIP friends and fellow sledders. I'm feeling for your families and friends at this difficult time.

 

[BIGFOOT]

Looks to me near the slide near center of the image?

 

[Dean10]

Please see my map with a note indicating the location.
I was not there so it may not be 100% correct, but based on other first hand comments, I think its pretty close.
Please advise if I have made an error.

 

[Dean10]

That sure is back there. Never been back that area. How long does it take on average to get back to the lake?

Hey slededjr,
Please don't take my map and head into an area you are not familiar with or comfortable with.
I always get a little nervous about posting my maps on here.

We always pack overnight survival gear, sat phones, and Garmin Zumo GPS on every sled.
We have been caught north of Spirit Lake a couple times and had to rely 100% on our tech to find our way out. The weather can move in quick, and cause ZERO visibility, its a terrible feeling when you are 10 or 15 miles away from the cabin and its snowing hard and the light is so flat you can tell ground from sky.

Always prepare for the worse, ALWAYS.

 

[snochuk]

Please see my map with a note indicating the location.
I was not there so it may not be 100% correct, but based on other first hand comments, I think its pretty close.
Please advise if I have made an error.
View attachment 194159

That would be pretty much where the crown was and runout went through and past the "B" on your map and into the creek.

 

[slededjr]

Hey slededjr,
Please don't take my map and head into an area you are not familiar with or comfortable with.
I always get a little nervous about posting my maps on here.

We always pack overnight survival gear, sat phones, and Garmin Zumo GPS on every sled.
We have been caught north of Spirit Lake a couple times and had to rely 100% on our tech to find our way out. The weather can move in quick, and cause ZERO visibility, its a terrible feeling when you are 10 or 15 miles away from the cabin and its snowing hard and the light is so flat you can tell ground from sky.

Always prepare for the worse, ALWAYS.

I pack evertyhing but the kitchen sink as well. I've been riding McBride since 2006. Theres a reason i haven't been back there yet. Either i wasn't experienced enough at the time or guys with us haven't been experienced. We were going to go back last year but one of our guys in group was fairy new to mountains. Spoke to Ron actually about the terrain getting back to there and explained our guys riding abilities and Ron advised not too. Thats how our group operates. If not all are comfortable or unsure we don't do it.

 

[machinehead]

2010M8- I am sure everyone appreciates the description of events , of this tragedy.
We know it can be hard to talk about, so soon after.
Be proud of yourself for keeping your cool, which enabled you to do what you could.
Be strong as many are thinking of the survivors , as well as the ones lost.

 

[thebigm]

That would be pretty much where the crown was and runout went through and past the "B" on your map and into the creek.

That would be correct.

 

[007sevens]

The ride back can be technical and for experience riders only. IMO. Like said before the weather can move in fast while back there and you have to navigate many ridges to get back. While on those ridges you can experience very low visibility.

I just want to point out to some, that avalanches like this may not be prevented but can be managed. Always be aware of your surroundings and always ask yourselves if your parked in a good spot.

I urge all to get at least the basic AST 1 training, it just may be your saviour.

I hope that the people involved will be able to move on from this, it is truly a tragic event that nobody wants to hear about.

 

[old mountain man]

This was taken Saturday. i.e. after the slide.

 

[birdie]

Sad News and my prayers are for all the Families & Survivors
Thanks 2010M8 for sharing your experience

This sport of sledding has serious consequences when things go bad
When its deep and blue there is nothing better than ripping it up on the white stuff

RIP

Thanks Snowandmud for the great way you handle this community I so appreciate this website

birdie

 

[the_real_wild1]

Still no usernames yet?

 

[bingo1010]

can anyone provide any info regarding who was wearing avy packs ,where they were during the avy, if they were deployed and the results?