One snowmobiler is confirmed dead and another body remains buried in what the Canadian Avalanche Centre is reporting their deadliest season yet. “Canada has never seen this many fatalities this early in the season,” states to Greg Johnson, an avalanche forecaster with the Canadian Avalanche Centre.

Four avalanche slides were trigger yesterday in British Columbia. Two separate avalanches, both in southern interior near Grand Forks region, caught snowmobilers off guard, resulting in their deaths. Two other slides were also reported, one at Big White ski resort, near Kelowna, where a snowboarder remains unaccounted for, and the other on Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler. While two skiers were partially buried at Big White, ski patrollers were on the scene and quickly dug them out. According to Johnson, rescuers are continuing their search for the missing snowboarder.

Johnson attributes the high mortality rate to the province’s unusual snow pack. “We have had fluctuating temperatures, followed by rain, and then cold and now heavy snow.” It’s not necessary the amount of snow, he explains, but the ability of the snow pack to adjust and stabilize to the added weight of the new snow.

The weaknesses or faults become buried deep in the snow. Avalanches occur when the pack becomes destabilized. The southern interior’s snow pack is creating a dangerous situation and poses significant avalanche concern from Rossland to Castlegar, to Fernie and now Kelowna, Johnson cautions. “They are bigger. They are more dangerous and there is very little chance you will escape if you become caught in one,” he warns.

He recommends people venturing into these areas to go back country skiing, or snowmobiling, educate themselves first. “Check the avalanche reports, talk to local guides and make sure you know the conditions of the area your in.”

I must admit, having spoken to Greg at the start of the season, my heart sinks every time I open the paper and read about another avalanche fatality. Please play safe.

Cheers,

Julie

This entry was posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Current News, Road Trips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.