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The skills and formal training of a group of skiers may have been the reason one woman is still alive, after she was buried in an avalanche.
RCMP received a report on Feb. 7, at about 3:40 p.m., that a large avalanche had occurred near the Wendy Thompson Hut in the back country north of Pemberton off of the Duffly Lake Highway.
According to Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair, police had limited contact with the group of skiers in the area due to poor cell coverage. They were able to determine there were at least three separate groups ski touring in the area and an avalanche had fully buried one person.
“Pemberton Search and Rescue attended the scene via helicopter and were able to determine that there were no other injuries or buried persons,” said LeClair.
Police discovered there was a group of 10 people skiing and snowboarding in the area at that time and each had skied a slope one at a time.
“The last skier was descending the slope when a large avalanche triggered about 100 meters above him. He was alerted to the danger by members of his group blowing whistles to warn him and was able to ski out of the avalanche path,” explained LeClair.
However, several members of the group were struck by the avalanche, three people were partially buried while one person was fully buried.
“Members of the group along with a party of thee men and another party of five women were able to quickly rescue the buried woman. She was recovered within three to six minutes,” stated LeClair.
Those on scene believe the woman was buried 1.5 meters below the surface. She was unconscious and unresponsive when they found her. The woman was able to recover once she was removed from the snow.
LeClair notes that all the groups were properly equipped for back country travel and had varying levels of experience.
“While this group was well equipped and prepared, the incident highlights the need to be vigilant in the back country as avalanche and weather conditions can change quickly and without warning.”
