A solo skier fell in a crevasse on Decker Mountain Friday. See story and more pictures below.
The corn skiing on Friday was very nice if your timing was right.
As of 06:00 the temperature was 0 at 2280 meters, and the winds were 10-20 KPH from the SSE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +5, 38 % relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is +1.
For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory
Norwegian skier dies from injuries after being caught in an avalanche: Mont Blanc
Update on Siachen Glacier avalanche: 135 Buried Souls
Update on avalanche in Tibet: Brahmaputra River Canyon
Avalanches from the past:
The White Killer
The winter of 1950-1951 also took with it many lives, leaving many homeless and dozens under the fearful and grim memories of the tragic avalanche that hit Alps of south-central Europe.
The January of 1951 received more than usual snowfall at some places more than seven feet. The result was the recipe for avalanche. And finally in the last week of January the white killer was let lose.
Resulting in more than hundred avalanches during the winter season wiping out entire vegetation and destroying homes and raging havoc on mankind. The village of Airolo was completely wiped out. That particular winter claimed more than 280 casualties of the dwellers of Alps.
A gentleman travelling solo on the Decker Glacier fell into a crevasse May 11, 2012. Luckily another solo ski tourer witnessed the event accessed the situation and went for help. Whistler SAR extricated the gentleman who had landed 15 meters onto his butt and otherwise uninjured.
As stated in the blog yesterday there appears to be many crevasses sagging and opening up. Use caution, just because there are old tracks over a depression does not mean its safe. Avoid depressions and look at where you are on the glaciers. Situational awareness and good visual observations will keep you safe!!
The temperatures are very warm, more crevasses will be sagging in the next while!
Its certainly getting warm, things should change:
Wayne,
I spotted a deep slab, not to ground, from a cornice failure. The cornice is
near the end of the ridge between Helm Flats and Corrie Lake in the park,
while the crown of the slab is down near treeline from a big wind feature.
The crust was far less durable today, wet grains with a weak crust, easy ski
pole to ground in most areas including a lot of the debris from last Monday.
Who knows, maybe this pattern will trigger a cycle!
Tony
