LOSS OF CONTROL—VOLUNTARY GLISSADE, EXCEEDING ABILITIES, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT

Washington, Mount Shuksan

On August 4, 1984, three young men were practicing techniques for steep angle snow descents on Mount Shuksan when one of them, William Couvion (17), lost his ice ax and lost control of his glissade, slid to the bottom of the snow where it ran into a rock cliff, which he proceeded down for another 15 meters, landing in a moat at the base of it. He suffered multiple abrasions and contusions. Victim was evacuated by helicopter. (Source: Rick Murphy, MRA Mission Report #84-382)