Avalanche Near Kootenay Pass, BC, Kills 23-Year-Old Snowmobiler - SnowBrains

"Two snowmobilers riding on a slope triggered the avalanche while traveling in the area. The slide was classified as a size 2.5 persistent slab avalanche and occurred on a northeast-facing slope below treeline at approximately 1,927 meters (6,322 feet) in elevation. The avalanche measured about 150 meters (492 feet) wide with crown depths ranging between 80 and 120 centimeters (31-47 inches) and ran approximately 300 meters (984 feet) down the slope."

"Avalanche Canada reported that two people were caught in the slide. One was fully buried and one partially buried. At the time of the accident, avalanche danger in the region was rated Considerable, meaning human-triggered avalanches were likely in certain terrain."

"The fatality is the fifth avalanche death in British Columbia since mid-February, a period marked by unstable snowpack conditions across parts of the province's backcountry. Forecasters have warned that persistent weak layers in the snowpack-which can remain buried for weeks-have made conditions particularly unpredicta"

Two snowmobilers triggered a persistent slab avalanche on a northeast-facing slope near Kootenay Pass in British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains. The slide, classified as size 2.5, measured approximately 150 meters wide with crown depths between 80-120 centimeters and traveled roughly 300 meters down the slope. One rider was fully buried while the other was partially buried. Other snowmobilers in the area rescued both riders, but the 23-year-old man was unresponsive and died at the scene. The second rider survived. Avalanche danger in the region was rated Considerable at the time, indicating human-triggered avalanches were likely in certain terrain. This fatality represents the fifth avalanche death in British Columbia since mid-February, occurring during a period of unstable snowpack conditions.

Read at SnowBrains