TheSnowpit.com News Blog

Minutes ago, the Associated Press released news of another snowmobile avalanche fatality near Valemount, BC, Canada, bringing the total number of fatalities in Canada to 15 for 2008/09.

By looking at the current accident numbers for the year, one can see that snowmobiling has, at least for now, risen to the forefront of these report numbers. Good, healing thoughts to the friends and family of those involved. After the huge incident near Fernie over the holiday, western Canada needs a little love and peace.

However, remember that last year, as of the end of January, we had 40 fatal accidents in North America out of a total 52 for the 2007/08 season, far above our current number of 26.

Despite the recent formal study from Albi Sole at the University of Calgary showing that avalanche education doesn't actually reduce your risk, sometimes it comes in pretty handy.

While crossing a slope near the Big-Cottonwood-Millcreek ridgeline, one of a team of three was caught and buried under a short slide. His companions enacted a successful rescue via beacons, probes, and shovels.

Of course, on the odd-news front, sometimes you don't need a beacon. After three days of being buried in a snow drift in Ontario, this woman was found alive by a search dog.

Yesterday a skier ducked the ropes in Jackson Hole and triggered an avalanche after a jump. The avalanche occurred in an area off to the side of a main gully. Despite being witnessed and immediately responded to by ski patrol, he was found dead on scene. The Associated Press quotes the response time (to unburial) for ski patrol at six minutes and the burial depth at eight feet.

Perhaps RandoSteve from TetonAT said it the best with:

Please pray for those involved and hope
for the best as this story unfolds.