2012/03/13 - Alaska - Takin Ridge, northwest of Haines

Published 2012/11/27 by Kent Scheler - Alaska Heliskiing

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.

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.

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.