A trio of skiers were caught in an avalanche on Monday, just before noon in Banff National Park.
They were skiing a southeast aspect off Mount Patterson when the slide released. Everyone in the group was carried some 100m (328′) before coming to a stop. They all sustained injuries, with one individual sustaining broken ribs and a head injury. That person was transported to a nearby hospital. It’s unclear whether the slide was the result of a terrain trap full of sluff or if there were indeed slabs involved.
“Winter is here, even though its only October. The alpine snowpack is deep and avalanche hazard exists. Expect fresh slab avalanches following storms and avoid steep, sun exposed slopes. Carry all of your avalanche gear and travel like its December” – Avalanche Canada
View the entire avalanche report below:
Avalanche Canada Incident Report:Â
- Activity- Skiing
- Skiers – 3
- Terrain trap – Couloir
Parks Canada responded to an InReach activation for three skiiers who were hit by a natural avalanche in a couloir on the east ridge of Mt. Patterson. There were no burials, but all three went for a ~100m tumble sustaining various injuries, the worst being a head injury and broken ribs. Gear was lost and all three were evacuated to a waiting ambulance. The avalanche appeared to be a loose dry avalanche that gained mass and was concentrated in the steep gullied terrainÂ
Find the original post here: Avalanche Canada Incident Summary
