CARDIAC ARREST-FALL ON SNOW

Alberta, Banff National Park, Mount Temple, East Ridge

On September 15, a party of two was ascending the Aemmer Couloir variant of this route. This is a snow and ice gully of 45 to 55 degrees. About halfway up the route one of the climbers started suffering from chest pains and respiratory distress. Shortly after, he fell approximately 150 meters to the bottom of the gully.

His partner descended and detected no vital signs. He continued descending for help. A Warden Service rescue team responded and evacuated the victim. It appears that he suffered a cardiac arrest prior to his fall.

The victim had a history of heart troubles. (Source: Parks Canada Warden Service)