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Grey Creek Pass rescue

bootroom

2014-03-12 02:59:45

Grey Creek Pass rescue

Just went in for a avie response in the Grey Creek pass. The slide slid on the Jan facets (most likely) and had a width of 300m, 1 meter crown and ran for over 600m through the trees. The end results were not good for those involved and I will leave it to the media for those details. Needs to say this slide occurred in an open clearcut with devastating consequence. With the new thermal warming one needs to be caution. It might seem like the cold nights are bridging the pack but just a little bit of warmth can trigger large stuff. This accident was not sled triggered, they we only at the bottom of the slide path just entering from the logging road but the consequences remain the same.

Take care out there and watch you back.

side note: Everyone should always carry avie rescue gear in the BC backcountry, do not be fooled by thinking there are safe places to travel in the backcountry in winter without proper training and gear.
Powder Creek Lodge

2014-03-12 11:49:18

Sad. Was it not remote triggered by the sled? I agree with you, be safe out there.....so many deaths and close calls recently despite all the warning signs. Things are going to get worse before they get better.
bootroom

2014-03-12 13:58:02

JohnP said:Sad. Was it not remote triggered by the sled? I agree with you, be safe out there.....so many deaths and close calls recently despite all the warning signs. Things are going to get worse before they get better.

yes the slide could have been a remote trigger from the sleds entering the area. It would also mean that the propagation in the pack would be almost 500m to start zone, this is very scary but we have seen reports of huge propagation on the CAA site.
skifreak

2014-03-12 21:44:11

Here is some about the slide and the tragic death:

The subject was buried by 1m of snow and would very likely have survived if he was wearing a transceiver. The slide happened in a cutblock NOT a usual 'avalanche path'. Some people may think that they are not in avy terrain when they are in a cutblock. 95% of the slide was in a cutblock. The subjects was at the bottom of the cutblock on a road. He was pushed off the road and into a very lightly treed gentle slope.

These are estimated measurements using Google Earth: The slide was 390m wide. Slope distance was 500m long. With an average slope of 28deg; max 34deg. Start zone elevation 2034m. Subject located at 1795m, 524545 m E, 5493288 m N.

Some pics of the slide courtesy of Wild Air Photography:

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Grey Creek Pass rescue