Since last Friday, avalanches in the Western States and British Columbia have killed 12 people and one victim is still missing. The most recent fatality as of this post was that of a 15-year-old boy in Utah who died Monday during an avalanche in the backcountry of the Uinta National Forest in the Windy Ridge/Moffit Basin.
On Sunday, 24-year-old Joshua Peters of Colville, WA died in an avalanche while snowmobiling near Harts Pass in North Central Washington State. It sounds like Peters was prepared, he had a transmitting beacon and according the Wenatchee World Peters’ companions dug him out within 15 minutes but were unable to revive him.
On Monday searchers near the town of Fernie, British Columbia recovered seven of the eight bodies who died during two avalanches in the same area within minutes of each other.
With this spike in avalanche fatalities, rescue authorities are urging the public to be aware of the risk of avalanches before venturing into the backcountry.
Tips if You are Caught in an Avalanche
You can find these tips and more on the National Avalanche Center website:
If you are caught in an avalanche:
· Travel off the slab at a 45 degree angle before it breaks up and tumbles you
· If the slide knocks you over keep your feet downhill and try to dig into the bed surface and let as much debris as possible pass you
- Use swimming motions and FIGHT Hard
As the slide begins to slow:
- Clear an air space in front of your face
- Thrust a hand toward the snow surface
- Try to remain calm
Be safe
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