TheSnowpit.com News Blog

• Avalanche claims three in Tibet
• Fatal fall on Taylor Glacier, Colorado
• Surrey man rescues solo climber on Mount Baker from crevasse
• Montana Ham radio operater picks up injured hiker's call in Washington

Despite winter still playing hookie here in Canada, avalanche danger is always present out in the Himalaya. Three Japanese climbers perished in an avalanche on Kulagangri; they were part of a larger team of seven. Apparently, the snow had been very heavy during the ascent.

But heavy snow isn't always the issue. A man slipped on Tuesday while skiing the late-season ice on the Taylor Glacier in RMNP, Colorado. He suffered fatal injuries. His friends, who were the first to find him, actually mounted a search themselves when he didn't return on time.

On a lighter note, an avalanche actually seemed to serve a minor positive role in a rescue. A solo hiker on Mount Baker fell into a crevasse September 15, and was later (miraculously) rescued by what appears to be brute strength on the part of another climbing pair who happened to hear his cries for help. One of the members simply climbed into the crevasse and got him out. Another pair, camped low on the glacier, awoke to the sound of avalanche and, while looking for the source, saw the rescue proceeding down the glacier. When the climbing pair and injured man reached their tent, they were ready.

Finally, only weakly related to snow but still cool, a Montana ham radio operator happened to receive the distress calls of a man hiking in the Cascades in late September. Using the 40 meter band, the Montanan was able to get the GPS coordinates and condition of the man in the Cascades, who had broken his leg. The transmissions, though spanning over 600 km, helped get the injured man out just after a major snowstorm.