SLIP ON ROCK, AVALANCHE, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT, WEATHER

Alberta, Rocky Mountains, Mount Whyte

A party of three made a scrambling ascent to the Popes Peak-Mount Whyte col on June 24, 1983. On descent, one of the party (37) slipped on loose rock and tumbled into a snow gully. His fall started a wet snow avalanche which carried him down for about 100 meters, sometimes buried, sometimes above the snow. He was stopped at the edge of the snow slope by rock debris. Injuries included multiple lacerations, shock, a fractured clavicle and a fractured tibia. One companion went to summon help from park wardens, the other remained with the victim. The onset of a spring snow storm compounded the threat of hypothermia to the victim. Rescuers completed the evacuation by helicopter in marginal flight conditions. (Source: Clair Israel- son, Banff National Park)

Analysis

The group had fairly extensive experience scrambling, but underestimated the length of the route and the hazards of loose rock. The victim’s light weight clothing was insufficient to prevent the onset of hypothermia when the weather deteriorated after the accident occurred. (Source: Clair Israelson, Banff National Park)