Two experienced backcountry skiers approached the “Sunnyside” run, on the ESE face of Hatch Peak near 5:00pm on March 19th, 2011. There were approximately 6 tracks on the slope from earlier that day. Skier 1 skied down first and staged midway down the slope in order to spot skier 2. After skier 2 made a few turns into the run he felt the slide initiate. By using swimming motions he was able to self-rescue off the moving debris onto the side. Once out of the debris, skier 2 realized he had injured his leg. He did not see skier 1 on, or near, the slide path or on the debris. His lower leg injury did not allow him to begin companion rescue. He initiated a rescue using an emergency locator beacon. Skier 1 was swept down the gully and buried 14 feet deep.
