Burial with head exposed

Quick report

keith · Mar 1, 2026 · Kokanee

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Observation photo 1

Quick report

Weather
sunny
Ride Type
alpineSlopes, openTrees, sunnySlopes
Riding Quality
good
Snow Conditions
powder, wet
Avalanche Conditions
avalancheConditionSlab, avalancheConditionTemp

Self-guided group at Kokanee. 2nd skier triggered PWL on 5th turn and went for a 100m ride, was under the surface, and was able to swim so that upper body was exposed when debris stopped. Lost poles and sunglasses. Bed surface was a MFcr, suspect Feb 13. Snow surface was moist from daytime warming.

Avalanche

Run Length
200
Slab Width
250
Trigger Type
skier
Wind Exposure
noWindExposure
Avalanche Size
2.5
Slab Thickness
60
Trigger Sub Type
accidental
Start Zone Aspect
SW
Vegetation Cover
sparseTrees
Start Zone Incline
35
Avalanche Character
persistentSlab
Crust Near Weak Layer
1
Number Of Avalanches
1
Start Zone Elevation
2100
Weak Layer Burial Date
2026-02-13
Avalanche Observation
12hrsAgo
Start Zone Elevation Band
tln
Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
2026-03-01T22:45:00.000Z

Self-guided group at Kokanee. 2nd skier triggered PWL on 5th turn and went for a 100m ride, was under the surface, and was able to swim so that head was exposed when debris stopped. Lost poles and sunglasses. Bed surface was a MFcr, suspect Feb 13. Snow surface was moist from daytime warming.

Incident

Group Size
3
Terrain Trap
trees
Group Activity
skiing
Number Injured
0
Number Involved
2
Number Caught Only
1
Number Fully Buried
0
Snow Depth Trigger Point
average
Terrain Shape Trigger Point
planar
Number Partly Buried Able Breathing
1
Number Partly Buried Impaired Breathing
0

Self-guided group at Kokanee. 2nd skier triggered PWL on 5th turn and went for a 100m ride, was under the surface, and was able to swim so that head was exposed when debris stopped. Lost poles and sunglasses. Bed surface was a MFcr, suspect Feb 13. Snow surface was moist from daytime warming.