Four climbers were involved in an avalanche incident below the Kitty Hawk ice climb (3 pitches, WI5) on the east side of Elliot Peak. An avalanche swept down the route just after one of the climbers had rappelled off Unicorn, a short M7 mixed route that begins just to the left of Kitty Hawk. This climber had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The four activated an emergency locator beacon just after noon and then managed to self-evacuate to the highway, where they met responders. The injured climber was flown to a hospital in Edmonton.

ANALYSIS

This ice climb is well-known to have very serious avalanche hazard in certain conditions. The avalanche danger at the time in this general area was rated moderate to considerable for subalpine terrain. (Sources: Published reports and the Editors.)