"Morrison recalled in a social media post that Matteson dropped into the line first and radioed from the bottom to report excellent conditions. However, when Morrison followed with a line directly adjacent to Matteson's tracks, the entire slope avalanched. Morrison managed to arrest his own fall by digging in his heels, but he watched as the slide swept over the area where Matteson was waiting."
"Despite suffering a concussion and physical injuries, Morrison immediately transitioned into a beacon search. His efforts were soon interrupted by 'hang fire,' as Morrison described, or unstable snow remaining above the crown which began to release secondary slides onto his position. Fearing he would be buried himself, a concussed Morrison was forced to retreat and seek professional help."
"Pemberton Search and Rescue later located Matteson's body that afternoon, confirming he had not survived the Size 3.5 slide. The avalanche, which featured a crown up to 80 inches deep, ran for nearly a mile downslope, packing enough force to destroy small buildings."
Stratton Matteson, a 28-year-old professional splitboarder, was killed in a large avalanche near Joffre Peak on February 24, 2026. His touring partner Ryan Morrison has provided firsthand testimony clarifying the accident. The pair were targeting steep terrain near Anniversary Glacier when Matteson dropped in first and radioed positive conditions. When Morrison followed on an adjacent line, the entire slope avalanched. Morrison arrested his fall but watched the slide sweep over Matteson's position. Despite suffering a concussion, Morrison began a beacon search but was forced to retreat when secondary slides threatened to bury him. Pemberton Search and Rescue later recovered Matteson's body. The avalanche was a Size 3.5 slide with an 80-inch crown that ran nearly a mile downslope.
Read at SnowBrains
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