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Date: 2004-04-26
Submitted By: NWAC
Place: near the Mt Baker ski area
State: WA
Country: USA
Fatalities: 1
Summary: 1 snowboarder caught and killed in small slide
Date: 26 April 2004
Submitted by: NWAC
Place: near the Mt Baker ski area
Fatalities: 1
Activity: Snowboard
Here are some details from a person with local experience who helped
transport the victim.
The victim was descending on a snowboard an approximately 35 degree or
steeper northwest aspect at roughly 4500 feet, between the Mt Baker
ski area boundary gate and Table Mountain, in the vicinity of a local
landmark called ?10 Minute Tree?. He was apparently traveling alone
but accompanied by 2 dogs. The victim had completed about 2-4 turns in
about 150-200 feet below a terrain roll and had likely stopped in a
chute above a small 15 foot section of steep rock. Below the rock was
a small bergschrund created where the snow had gradually moved away
from the rock. Shallow slow moving wet snow likely caught the victim
from behind, carried the victim over the steep rock, and mostly buried
the victim head first in the small bergschrund with his feet and
snowboard exposed. The debris pile was described as about the size of
a car and the avalanche was very likely triggered by the victim.
Garth Ferber
Avalanche Meteorologist
Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
Initial official report from the county sherriff's office.
For Immediate Release Contact: Deputy
George Ratayczak
04-27-2004 360-676-6650
Headline:
Snowboarder found buried in snow on Mount Baker
On 04-26-2004 at approximately 1800 hours the Whatcom County Sheriff?s
Office received a report of a snowboarder found buried in a possible
avalanche near Austin Pass on Mount Baker. While enroute to the
location witnesses on the scene advised that the male subject was
deceased and they were unable to dig him out.
Volunteers from Bellingham Mountain Rescue responded and were assisted
by Mount Baker Ski Area employees in recovering the deceased
snowboarder. The remains were transported to the Whatcom County
Medical Examiner?s Office.
It appeared that the person was alone and hiking up the mountain to
snowboard down. He was found at the bottom of a 10-15 foot cliff
buried in the snow from which it appears that he fell from.
At this time no further information is being released pending next of
kin notification.
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