Two climbers were lucky to walk away relatively unscathed after they got caught in an avalanche on Mount Edith Cavell, Sept. 14.
According to Parks Canada, the couple was descending the west ridge when they veered off onto an open slope and triggered an avalanche. One person injured their left ankle.
According to an article published by Gripped Magazine, the couple had ascended the same slope earlier in the day when the snow was firm, but by the time they began their descent the snow had changed and was no longer supporting their weight.
According to the story, the two were walking separate lines when a moist, wet slab fractured two meters above the first person sweeping the climber nearly 75 metres down the slope before they were able to stop themselves using an ice axe.
The second person, who was off to the side at the time, was uninjured and able to make their way down to their partner.
According to Parks, the pair was able to walk out to the Astoria trail but were unable to continue because of the injury. Visitor safety specialists with Parks Canada picked up the couple using an all-terrain vehicle.
Despite being only a few weeks into autumn, Banff聽 National Park reported its first avalanche fatality of the season, Sept. 25.
According to the Calgary Herald, an experienced skier in his 20s was swept off a 300 metre cliff by an avalanche on Mount Victoria, near Lake Louise.
The skier was part of a group of two that set out in the morning to ascend the mountain, but part way up they decided to turn back due to strong winds and poor conditions.
As they went back down, one of the men 鈥� identified by聽family and friends聽as聽Trevor Sexsmith聽鈥� was caught and killed聽when the聽small聽avalanche swept him off the聽cliff.
The second skier was able to safely make it down before calling for help.
With the recent spat of avalanches, Parks is reminding people that there is already a significant amount of snow at higher elevations and winter precautions should be taken.
鈥淲e encourage all users to recognize the inherent risks associated with carrying out recreational activities in a backcountry setting, and provide visitors with the tools to make informed choices about the activities they choose to pursue,鈥� wrote Steve Young, a communications officer for Parks.
Daily avalanche forecast bulletins and other information on avalanche safety is posted in both French and English on the Parks Canada website and at park information centres.
Those heading into the backcountry should check conditions at www.avalanche.ca.
Kayla Byrne
[email protected]
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
