Avalanche Details
- Location: Takin Ridge, northwest of Haines
- State: Alaska
- Date: 2012/03/13
- Time:
10:33 AM
- Summary Description: 2 heli-skiers caught, buried, and killed
- Primary Activity: Mechanised Guide
- Primary Travel Mode: Ski
- Location Setting: Backcountry
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Number
- Caught: 2
- Partially Buried, Non-Critical: 0
- Partially Buried, Critical: 0
- Fully Buried: 2
- Injured: 0
- Killed: 2
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Avalanche
- Type: SS
- Trigger: AR - Snowboarder
- Trigger (subcode): u - An unintentional release
- Size - Relative to Path: R4
- Size - Destructive Force: D4
- Sliding Surface: I - New/Old Interface
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Site
- Slope Aspect: W
- Site Elevation: 5000 ft
- Slope Angle: 35 °
- Slope Characteristic: --
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Avalanche Comments
This avalanche was triggered in a shallow area near a rock outcropping on a SSW aspect near 5000 ft elevation. The crown propagated 750-800 ft across the slope to the skiers left on to the W aspect where the guide had set the track. The terrain for this area is complex with benches, gulleys and ribs. The slope angles vary from shallow at 25 degrees well into 40 degrees over the benches. Route finding in this area is relatively straight forward. Run is typically skied on ribs and benches avoiding the main gulley.
Events Leading to the Avalanche
At approximately 10:10-10:15, 5 clients and 1 guide (group #1) landed the ridge of a run called Swanny. The guide instructed his group on the ridge and set the main ski track for the run on the W face, posting up on a lower bench near mid slope to oversee his group ski the slope. Three clients safely descended the slope following guide #1 tracks, traveled past guide #1 positions and then posted up on a terrain feature at the bottom of the run as per the guides instructions. The fourth rider descended, but chose a line much further to the skiers right of the set track, which had a more southerly aspect. This line took the rider next to a rock outcropping on a SSW aspect, which triggered the avalanche. It should be noted that the third rider had descended before the fourth and crashed, impacting the snowpack very hard; this did not trigger the slide.
Accident Summary
A second group (group #2) had landed on the ridge LZ and was preparing to ski the run behind group #1. The LZ is high on the ridge and the ski run is not visible from this spot. As group #2 was organizing on the LZ, the avalanche occurred and group #2 was unaware of the event. A third group (group #3) was in flight for the same ridge and witnessed a large powder cloud in the valley. Group #3 informed group #2 of the avalanche, but told group #2 to hold on the ridge due to "hang fire". Group #3 guide contacted base to initiate the operation EMS plan, landed mid-slope at the top of the debris pile and began the course search. The helicopter (279CH) left guide #3 and flew to the ridge to pick up guide #2 on the ridge. It was determined at that time that two person were missing from group #1 including the guide. Also during this time, a second helicopter was dispatched to the accident site with three additional senior guides from base.
Rescue Summary
Guide #2 landed on the debris pile to join the rescue effort. Just after guide #2 landed, the second helicopter (350CH) was inbound to the mid-slope LZ. Guide #2 held at the LZ to land 350 and was joined by guide #4, guide #5 and guide #6. During this time Guide #3 had identified two beacon signals and a probe strike on victim #1. Guide #2, #4, #5, and #6 descended the bedsurface to assist guide #3. Upon arrival, guide #5 and #6 joined guide #3 to help excavate victim #1. Guide #2 and #4 continued down slope to pin point the second signal of the second victim. Victim #2 was quickly located by beacon and probe strike and resucers began the excavation. At this time 279CH was inbound with 3 additional guides. 279 landed close to victim #2 location and joined guide #2 and #4 with additional medical equipment. Upon arrival of the 3 additional guides, victim #1 and #2 airways had been cleared and rescue breathing was being initiated. For the next several mintues (10-18 min) great effort was made to fully excavate both victims from more than 2 meters of snow. Victims #1 was excavated approximately 8-10 minutes prior to victim #2. Both victims were given CPR during excavation and in flight to waiting EMS.
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Snowpits