Avalanche Details
- Location: Iron Mountain, Cameron Pass
- State: Colorado
- Date: 2011/06/18
- Time:
Unknown
- Summary Description: 1 skier caught and carried
- Primary Activity: Backcountry Tourer
- Primary Travel Mode: Ski
- Location Setting: Backcountry
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Number
- Caught: 1
- Partially Buried, Non-Critical: 0
- Partially Buried, Critical: 0
- Fully Buried: 0
- Injured: 0
- Killed: 0
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Avalanche
- Type: WL
- Trigger: AS - Skier
- Trigger (subcode): u - An unintentional release
- Size - Relative to Path: R3
- Size - Destructive Force: D1
- Sliding Surface: I - New/Old Interface
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Site
- Slope Aspect: NW
- Site Elevation: 11200 ft
- Slope Angle: 38 °
- Slope Characteristic: Convex Slope
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Weather Summary
The weather that day was quite pleasant, with temperatures estimated between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. Winds were minimal to non-existent in the morning, with short gust of 5-10 mph. Precipitation in the morning (before 12pm) was non-existent, with clear visibility. In the late afternoon (2pm-4pm) short bursts of snow flurries had begun to develop.
Snowpack Summary
During our skin up the mountain we observed several snow pack conditions. Firstly, there appeared to be a new layer of fresh snow ranging between 3-4" in depth. This layer most likely had fallen within the last 4 days. Due to warmer temperatures in June, this layer also felt heavy and wet. When on steeper terrain during our skin, we also noticed this layer releasing and sliding beneath us, especially when traversing perpendicular to the slope angle. The sliding surface consisted of a tightly consolidated slab of older snowpack.
Events Leading to the Avalanche
The day started by skinning up the drainage ditch toward our intended goal, to ski lines above treeline in the "hot dog" bowls. Upon nearing treeline all members of our party (4) stopped and performed a beacon check. We then preceded to talk briefly about our comfort level in terms of avalanche danger. On a ten scale, (10 being very scared) our party rated our concern level at about a 3-4. We proceeded by traversing up the first bowl with greater distance intervals between party members (10-15ft), to examine an ice water fall and then later pick our ski lines. After traversing to the next bowl I indicated to our party that I would boot pack a chute just above us, about 75ft in length, that dumped into the bowl below. They acknowledge, and said they would ski the chute to the left.
Accident Summary
While removing skins, I stood about 50ft higher than my other party members in the other chute. We were separated by a small rock band but could see and communicate with each other clearly. I finished preparing my gear before the others (AT setup), deployed my avalung tube and got ready to drop in. I cut a hard right turn followed by another hard left at about the steepest part of the slope (~40 degrees). I slowed almost to a complete stop to make my next turn to avoid a scree field 300ft below me. In the next instant I felt immense pressure surrounding my feet, and they were quickly taken out from under me. I quickly gained speed and was unable to move from this point on. In my panic I was unable to yell "Slide!" to alert my party. Due to the separation of the chutes by the rock band, my party was unaware I was in an avalanche for several seconds. Realizing my situation I immediately started to push against the snowpack in an effort to remain on top. In a panic to stay on top of the slide, I was unable to place the avalung tube in my mouth. While I was fighting all three members confirm that they had eyes on me for several seconds, and then lost me beneath the snow pack. As I kept pushing and fighting, snow started to come above my head, and my party members lost sight. A second later, the whole snowpack "jumped", and I was able to push myself on top, where my party members again regained sight of me. As the slide continued to pick up speed I was dragged into the large boulder scree field I had tried to avoid earlier. I braced for impact using my skis as a shield, bouncing off 2 to 3 boulders before the slide finally slowed and came to a stop.
Rescue Summary
Lucky to be on top of the snow instead of beneath it with my new boulder friends, I gave a thumbs up and yelled "OK!" "OK!" several times to my party. One of our members was sent down the slide path to see if I was injured while the other two stayed in a safe zone. I was able to self rescue by standing up, without digging myself out. I had not sustained any injuries. A beacon search was not initiated. My rescuer and I traveled one at a time out of the slide path to treeline, and waited for the rest of our party to debrief the situation.
Comments
All party members were carrying standard avalanche gear (beacon, shovel, probe). Each party member had at a minimum, avalanche awareness training and avalanche level 1 education. Fresh tracks and new snow in June played a key role in driving our mistakes. Snow instability concerns were not taken as seriously as they should have been, due to our judgement about the time of month (June i.e summer)
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