On Sunday afternoon, an avalanche struck and killed a North Pole resident and snowmobiler near Summit Lake, AK. The location of the incident is very close to the venue for the world-famous snowmobile and winter recreation event, Arctic Man.
According to The Bristol Herald Courier, Claire Sundgren was sitting on her snowmobile when she became engulfed by a slide triggered by a separate rider. The accident occurred at roughly 3pm. Witnesses to the accident eventually dug her out but attempts to revive Sundgren proved futile.
Alaska Avalanche Information Center Debrief
At about 3pm, a snowmobile rider climbed a southwest facing, 30 plus degree slope to about 5500′ elevation. His partner waited at the bottom. The rider triggered a hard slab avalanche that caught him, then hit and buried his partner below. She was located and dug up within 25-30 minutes. She appeared to have severe traumatic injuries; rescuers were unable to revive her.
*Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s friends and family
Find the entire Bristol Herald Courier article here: North Pole woman dies in avalanche near Summit Lake
