Duke Mt

Avalanche

Trigger Type

skier

Avalanche Size

2.5

Trigger Sub Type

accidental

Start Zone Aspect

N

Avalanche Character

corniceOnly

Number Of Avalanches

1

Avalanche Observation

24to48hrsAgo

Start Zone Elevation Band

alp

Avalanche Occurrence Datetime

2021-03-18T10:00:00

Incident

Group Size

2

Terrain Trap

cliff

Group Activity

skiing

Number Injured

1

Number Involved

2

Number Fully Buried

0

Number Partly Buried Able Breathing

1

Planned to ride either Duke couloir or glacier March 18th. Started skinning at 6am and made it to the couloir for 9:30am. The cornice above the couloir was too big to drop in so we made the decision to climb over to the glacier entrance. Up on the ridge I heard a whomp and notice the ground cracking underneath me. Yelling slide I was able to get out, to turn around and see my friend plummeting over the cliff face of the mountain. OH SHIT, GO TIME. Adrenaline pumping I get my board on and found an area above to scan the debris looking for any signs of my friend. Noticing something in the debris at the bottom of slide I rush down to help. By some miracle he was conscious and above the slide. I asked if anything was broken and he told me he thought his foot was. He told me that he would not be able to get out without help. Having no InReach, I went back to the car to get help. Called SAR at 1:30pm and was able to get him back to Pemby for 5pm. Big thank you SAR! Theres a lot to take away from this experience. If I was caught in the slide I seriously doubt we would both be here today. We discussed that cornices would be a major issue the day prior yet unfortunately got caught above one. It’s an absolute miracle that he was above this slide and conscious at the bottom. This is a reminder to respect the environment, keep on educating yourself and be prepared for the worst. It happens so fast and I couldn’t be happier that were both alive today. I’m counting my blessings. That was as close as it gets. Stay safe out there 🙏🏻