Skier Michael Harris spent 4+ hours buried under an avalanche.
Skier Michael Harris spent 4+ hours buried under an avalanche.

When skier Michael Harris found himself buried under an avalanche at Stevens Pass in Washington, he more or less accepted his fate, understanding that as he was skiing alone, the potential for rescue was slim. However thanks to Apple’s Find My iPhone, Harris’ was able to see that he hadn’t moved for hours and contacted the Stevens Pass ski patrol for assistance.

Michael was found after being buried for over 4 hours, hypothermic and with a body temperature in the high 70s to very low 80s degrees Fahrenheit. He sustained a contusion of the lung, pneumonia, kidney injuries, and a right tibial plateau fracture, but he survived and now he’s speaking out about his experience.

The story of Michael Harris is undoubtedly incredible. The fact that he survived for as long as he did is truly unbelievable. His daughter Lauren launched a GoFundMe to help cover the medical bills, which you can find here. Read Michael’s full story below.

Nolan Deck is a writer for Unofficial Networks, covering skiing and outdoor adventure. After growing up and skiing in Maine, he moved to the Denver area for college where he continues to live and work...