|
|
| Back to accidents page |
Date: 2003-12-12
Submitted By: NWAC
Place: Near Artists Point near the Mt Baker ski area
State: WA
Country: USA
Fatalities: 1
Summary: 3 snowshoers caught and buried, 1 killed, 2 survived 24 +hour burial
date: avalanche on 12/12, recoveries 12/13.
place: near Artists Point near the Mt Baker ski area
3 buried, 1 fatality
state: WA
activity: snow shoers
The following information is via Mt Baker ski area personnel. A party
of 3 snow shoers (1 man, 2 women) departed for Artist's Point on
Friday morning 12 December. Near the last switch back at about 4700
feet they were all buried by a natural or triggered soft slab
avalanche,
northwest aspect, fracture estimated at 10-18 inches. By Saturday
morning the man was able make a hole in the snow with his hand and
began yelling for help. A passing party of skiers heard him, dug him
out, and returned him to the ski area. A rescue party returned to the
site and probers found the first woman, who had perished. A prober
then accidently stepped into the air pocket of the second woman who
was alive. The man and the woman each survived about 24 hours or more
of burial.
|
|
