An aerial view of the deadly avalanche site in Millcreek Canyon, Utah, Feb. 6, 2021.
Four skiers died in an avalanche in Utah on Saturday, bringing the total number of US avalanche fatalities to 15 over the last week the deadliest seven-day period since 1910.
An expert with the National Avalanche Center told BuzzFeed News he suspects that the coronavirus pandemic, and the rise of people doing outdoor activities, could be playing a role in this accident cluster. In the past seven days, we have had 15 avalanche fatalities in the US and many close calls that could have resulted in more deaths and serious injuries, said Simon Trautman, national avalanche specialist at the center.
Colorado recorded three backcountry avalanche deaths last Friday and Saturday, which naturally made folks wonder if the COVID-inspired touring gear sales boom was already contributing to a prophesied uptick in avalanche deaths.
It’s not. It’s good policy not to weigh in on the specifics of avalanche accidents like slope angle, decision making, and cause of death until local avalanche centers and coroners compile their reports, and we’ll honor that here. But we know enough and my reporting backs this up to discard the premise that the Colorado victims were newbies. It would be hard to find three backcountry skiers with more experience.
Back country skiing — and equipment — see surge in interest as ski resorts limit crowds nbcnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nbcnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BOZEMAN, Mont.
Ben Werner glided up the craggy mountain bowl between Hardscrabble Peak and Frazier Basin in the Bridgers, his heels lifting off his skis with every step. He paused periodically to assess his route up the slope.
Before Werner ascended the bowl, he tested the snowâs stability on a small hill with a similar slant and aspect. He directed his skis toward the hillside and coasted along, looking around for any signs of cracks or slides. The snow held. He continued his path upward.
In backcountry skiing, deciding where to climb up or ski down a slope can be the difference between life and death. And the mountains are deceiving.