U.S. Avalanche Fatalities Now 30

A snowmobiler was caught Friday in a soft slab avalanche at Little Box Canyon north of Rifle Falls, Colorado bringing the United States total fatality number for this season to 30.  The average death toll is 25 per season.  However, more snow in the Rockies and California this winter has added to the accidents.

Friday’s avalanche happened when the first of three snowmobilers realized the third one was no longer behind them.  They noticed the avalanche and one went back to search for the missing person.  The other went ahead to call 911.  Garfield County Search and Rescue responded, including an avalanche dog and handler. The dog alerted on the body, which was recovered Friday afternoon.

The continued snowfall this winter has prompted warnings of avalanches in the west.  In addition, anyone going into the back-country is advised to were a detection beacon for quicker recovery.

On the web: Avalanche.org

U.S. Avalanche Death Toll Now 27

The winter storms in California this week added to the death toll due to avalanches as three back-country skiers were killed in three separate slides near Wrightwood Friday.

The area, the San Gabriel Mountains, rarely experiences avalanches.  However, it also rarely receives three to four feet of snow in such a short period of time.

Avalanches are “a freak occurrence” in the local mountains, said Pete Olson, president of Mt. Baldy Ski Resorts.

“We depend on snow-making, and snow-making doesn’t lead to avalanches,” Olson said. “It usually doesn’t snow enough to make anything happen up here.”

The tragedies didn’t stop skiers and snowboarders from swarming to the Mountain High resort.  About 6,000 people jammed the slopes Saturday.

In the bookstore: Avalanche (books)

On the web: Avalanche.org

U.S. Avalanche Fatalities Rise to 21

Two backcountry skiers were caught and killed in an avalanche on Fiberglass Hill north of Columbia Falls, Montana yesterday.  Their deaths, along with the three killed snowmobiling in Wyoming on Saturday, brings the United States total for this season to 21 according to Avalanche.org.

At least two snowmobilers witnessed the avalanche.  At one time, about 100 people were searching and probing the area that is only accessible by snowmobiles.  No avalanche beacons were detected.

Authorities continue to remind the public of the dangers of skiing the backcountry.  In addition, beacons, although rarely needed, should be used in every situation where there is probable danger.