I think most of you know by now that James and I were the 3rd party to arrive at a fatal avalanche in K-Country. We went out for a mellow day trip on December the 8th. It was a gorgeously sunny day with about a foot of nice fluffy powder sitting on a thin and very unstable Rockies snowpack.
This photo is taken from the foot of the debris, which is where the two men were found. The slide was a size 3, about 750m long and 250m wide and big enough to do damage to a large SUV.
The two guys were digging a snow pit just under the ridge when they triggered the slide. (The black box in the photo shows where they were.) They traveled around 500 m and came through a stand of larch trees before coming to a stop. By the time James and I arrived one group of 3 skiers and a second group of 5 snowshoers had already dug the two men out. They both died of trauma - likely from having hit trees.It was an intense day. The first night I found myself waking up with images of the two bodies in my mind and I thought a lot about the families and friends who were receiving phone calls with very sad news. After that I spent several days searching the news for information on who these men were - I wanted to see photographs of them alive and happy.
It's been almost a month now and I'm still thinking about this incident. I no longer feel emotionally shaken by it, but I do feel extra cautious in the backcountry and extra concern for all of my friends. There have already been 6 avalanche fatalities in Canada this year - from the coast to the Rockies.
Stay safe out there my friends.
2 comments:
Hey, it looks like you are in Revelstoke but if you're around Calgary on Jan. 20th there will be a day to celebrate the lives of John and Mark. I was Mark's roommate and a close friend of John's. Below are the details for Sunday. Feel free to contact me at thomasgoot@hotmail.com. I will likely be in the Revvy area this season if you'd like to talk sometime. regards,
Tim Auger
You're invited to join us in celebration of the lives of John Nyenhuis and Mark Smith on Sunday, January 20th. We've planned two components for this day and you're welcome to join us for any or all parts.
The first part will be outdoors not far from Tent Ridge where John and Mark lost their lives in the avalanche. We'd like to share some time to reflect and to appreciate the natural beauty and peace that John and Mark understood so well. Please come prepared to be outside and to play in the snow. We'd like to have everybody together at 11:30am and from there we can split into smaller groups and enjoy being outside in any manner of ways. Go for a walk, a snowshoe, a ski, play dodgeball, have a snowball fight, anything goes. If you'll be venturing into avalanche areas then of course bring your shovels, probes, and beacons. See the contact info below if you can't find a ride and we'll try to arrange something.
The second part will be in Calgary and in the evening. We've booked some space at Tipperary's Irish Pub on 16th Ave NW so come prepared to share some stories, to raise a glass to John and Mark, and to celebrate the many gifts they gave us.
When Part 1: 11am - 2pm Sunday January 20, 2008
Where Part 1: Mount Shark Parking Lot - From Canmore proceed past the Canmore Nordic Centre then continue on Spray Lakes Road (aka 742 & Smith Dorien Trail) for about 37 km. Turn right at the Mount Shark Road turnoff and proceed along this road to the Mount Shark Parking lot (not far along).
When Part 2: 6pm - 9pm Sunday January 20, 2008
Where Part 2: Tipperary's Irish Pub - 2002 16th Ave. NW Calgary 403-289-5566
Please extend this invitation to anybody who we may have missed who would like to share in the celebration.
We hope to see you there!
Regards,
Monica Henriques and Tim Auger
oh yeah, there is no shortage of photos of Mark and John alive and happy and doing ridiculous things!
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