AVALANCHE

New York, Adirondack Mountains

On March 21, 1987, Jean Grenon (30) and Paul Junique (30) were ice climbing in a couloir on Mount Colden when they were struck by an avalanche which carried them to the bottom. During the fall, Grenon’s crampons caught on the ice, probably causing fractures of both his legs. (Source: Jean Grenon)

Analysis

This is one of very few winter climbing accident reports we’ve ever received from the Adirondacks. There are many couloirs which have been scraped down to rock because there is little topsoil and plenty of spring runoff. In winter, there is good ice climbing, and the usual danger of small avalanches when snow builds up in and on top of the couloirs. (Source: J. Williamson)