Two Die in Avalanche Near Nelson
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 @ 5:20 PM
Nelson, B.C.- RCMP and the BC Coroner’s service now confirm that two people died in an avalanche today in the Bonnington Range, south of Nelson.
The man and woman were among a group of heli-skiers caught in the slide that tore down the mountainside this morning. On a scale of 1 to 5, this avalanche was rated a 3.5
The ski guide and one of the skier’s suffered only minor injuries and were able to dig out the other members of their party. One adult male and a woman died after being caught in the slide .
Their deaths bring to ten, the number of people who have died in avalanches in B.C.’s back country since last November.
Comments
Thoughts and condolences to the families.
Another risky season for the seekers of back country thrills. A general comment:
I am sure that these people are not stupid, so why do so many ignore the warnings from the Avalanche Centre?
metalman.
it all boils down to thrills and money. money for the guides and thrills for the skier. someone should be held accountable sooner or later and not the tax payer for the rescue crews.
Hadenuf,
The rescue would have been carried out
by the Heli-ski operation. They are far better equipped & have more experience in
avalanche terrain than SAR.
Ski Guides go through rigorous training & testing. It absolutely does not boil down to thrills & money, if the conditions are deemed unsafe ALL activity is shut down.
The unfortunate truth about mountain travel in any form is that a person can never be 100% accurate as to forecasting snowpack stability…or weather…or much of anything. It’s risk management.
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