Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

Accident: Hatcher Pass

Location: Skyscraper

Date
Sat, January 16th, 2016
Activity
Snowboard
Fatalities
1
Summary
One snowboarder caught, buried and killed.
Accident Report
  • Human triggered avalanche- HS-AR-D2.5R2-O
  • Skyscraper Mountain
  • SSE aspect (160°), cross-loaded slope and features
  • Triggered at 4200?
  • Slope angle at crown = 43°
  • Estimated size: 6-8? deep consistent across crown X 120? wide X 600? run
  • Debris pile 12? deep X 185? wide, victim buried 7.5? deep

Victim was traveling by snowshoe, climbed Skyscraper Mountain, triggered avalanche while descending by snowboard. Victim was traveling with one other partner, neither were wearing avalanche beacons. Avalanche likely triggered above rider. Lack of avalanche beacons, and the depth of the burial contributed to a long burial time, approximately 45 minutes.

Photos