Kananaskis Avalanche Incident

phaceplant · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 16

"A Calgary man back-country skiing with a companion was killed in an avalanche Sunday.

The wall of snow came down about 12:45 p.m. on the south slope of The Fist, a mountain off the Spray Lakes Road in the Kananaskis recreation area west of Calgary, said RCMP Cpl. Phil Wilson. "

More...

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060213/avalanche_calgary_060213/20060213?hub=Canada

sillybunt · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 581 Location: Calgary

Here's a shot of the slide taken from the Commonwealth Peak area. Still no details regarding the accident:

Can't get the photo to display?

bigsteve · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 506 Location: Alberta Rockies

There you go.
His name was David Hurd, 50, by reliable accounts, a well seasoned backcountry skier. Sounds like a lot of people I know, including myself.
Gives pause for thought.....
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funhog · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:48 am Post subject:

It sounds like he was skiing in the area, when the avy naturally released. He was caught in the run out. Sad

My condolences to his family and friends. Its got to be tough.
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sillybunt · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 581 Location: Calgary

Thanks Big Steve for the photo posting help. Today's Calgary Herald indicated that the skiers were on the slope that failed, presumably climbing up or just above the trees skiing down. Apparently Dave was caught by a slab release that carried him through the trees causing fatal trauma and his companion was below him and on the flank of the slide avoiding gettimg caught. A full analysis is apparently underway by Kananaskis Country personnel. I wonder if that report or accident summary will be available to the public. Temps on Sat started out at -14 and warmed to +5 by the time of the rescue effort.

Here's a link to the accident report:
http://www.alpineclub-edm.org/accidents/accident.asp?id=1538

Unfortunately, the analysis is limited and is mostly a repeat of the avalanche report information.

Matt · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 222

there is a little more info here: http://biglines.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=10775

this write up suggests that the slide was skier triggered.