5 skiers uninjured after getting caught in avalanche in Whistler backcountry
Whistler Search and Rescue is warning backcountry users of elevated avalanche risk this long weekend, after five skiers were fortunate to avoid injury in a significant slide Thursday night.
According to a summary the search and rescue team shared on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network Friday, a group of five ski tourers were heading out to complete the Spearhead Traverse when they accidentally triggered the avalanche around 7 p.m. while ascending the west face of Mount Pattison.
"All five group members were caught in the avalanche and were partially buried," the summary reads. "Four were able to self-extricate and one needed to be excavated out (buried up to their neck) … Miraculously no injuries and only one ski pole lost."
Whistler search and rescue crews surveyed the incident Friday morning, posting several photos of the avalanche online.
The team described the avalanche as a "Size 2 slab avalanche," and said crews observed several other natural slides while flying to the avalanche site.
Avalanche sizes are typically measured on a five-point scale, with Size 2 on the smaller end, but still containing enough material to bury a person.
"Please use caution this weekend as avalanche hazard is expected to remain elevated and far from typical for this time of year," Whistler Search and Rescue warned.
Avalanche Canada's forecasting season has ended, meaning there's no official avalanche danger rating in the Whistler backcountry right now.
However, the agency's "spring conditions guide" warns that danger can vary from low to high throughout the day.
"In general, reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain during periods of solar radiation, daytime warming, or rain," Avalanche Canada warns.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.