Although HikerHell usually doesn’t report on stories who use motorized vehicles in the backcountry (including snowmobiles, ATVs or dirt bikes), the number of avalanches this year is staggering and everyone needs to be aware of the dangers of avys in the backcountry.
Two avalanches buried eight snowmobilers about 550 miles east of Vancouver, British Columbia near the town, Fernie.
In the first avalanche, a cornice let loose at the top of the mountain and buried seven snowmobilers. Four other snowmobilers heard the rumble and the screams and drove to the area to look for survivors. While they were digging for survivors, another avalanche started tumbling down the mountain and the second group was buried.
Two men dug themselves out and were able to help a third man who was found near the surface.
The search for the remaining eight snowmobilers is continuing but their chances for survival if they had been buried are slim.
First reports from the mountain said the snowmobilers were digging with their bare hands because they lost their gloves when the avalanche hit them.
A full search and rescue is underway and before teams were sent in, avy techs set off charges to stabilize the hill. Other avy specialists are being flown in to help with the rescue effort.
Some of the snowmobilers were wearing beacons. New reports from the mountain are saying that some bodies have been found.
Heavy snow and a weak snowpack made for great concern. Over the weekend, the Canadian Avalanche Center issued a warning in the area.
I will update this story at the end of the day when the latest reports come down from the mountain.
Read the story here.
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