Alberta man dies in avalanche near Rossland
By Kyra Hoggan
An Alberta man in his 30s died in an avalanche near Rossland yesterday.
RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said four men, two from B.C. and one from Alberta, all in their 30s, snomobiled into the area around Mnt. Mackie.
“They snomobiled in to go downhill skiing,” he said. “At around 3:30 p.m., an avalanche struck.
“Three of the four didn’t get caught up in the main slide, and they know the area and were able to make their way to a backcountry cabin. (At the cabin) were local Snow Cat skiing outfitter operators, one of whom was able to locate the fourth man and confirm that he was deceased, but he wasn’t able to recover the remains. He had to leave immediately due to the extreme conditions.”
Trial RCMP and Search and Rescue (SAR) responded to the call at roughly 3:30 p.m. yesterday, but were unable to access the site due to treacherous conditions, and put off the search until today.
RCMP Cpl. Dave Johnson said at first light this morning (roughly 7:30 a.m.), police and SAR crews from Rossland, Castlegar, South Columbia and Nelson began testing the stability of the snowpack as a first step in recovering the body, with the possibility of avalanche technicians being brought in to conduct avalanche stabilization work.
“I’ve spoken to (the man’s) family, and they have asked that his name not be released,” Johnson added. “They’re just trying to cope with all of this.”
Moskaluk said police will issue a release when the body is recovered.
“It is our understanding that these were backcountry enthusiasts who were properly equipped with backcountry and avalanche gear,” added Moskaluk. “This is the first avalanche-related death this (winter) season in B.C.”
He also said Trail RCMP and SAR will have road closures in effect to limit public access, given the high risk of avalances in the area.
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