Snowboarder Survives Getting Caught In Avalanche And Buried In Tree Well While Riding Powder Out Of Bounds Near Whistler
On Sunday, December 20, 2015, Colin D. Watt survived an avalanche in the Whistler backcountry that left him stuck in a tree well. Colin D. Watt was in a party of three that was riding under Whistler’s Peak To Peak Gondola in an out-of-bounds area when Watt was caught in an avalanche and carried about about 150 feet down the slope – ultimately getting stuck in a tree well.
The CBC.ca writes that Watt described the experience as “Basically, I was a present under a Christmas tree, and snow just kept funneling in and did not stop until I was completely buried.”
At first Watt was able to communicate with his friends before his throat filled with snow. According to the article, his friends “took a guess and just started digging.” Ultimately Watt was extricated and survived. Only one of his buddies had brought their avalanche safety gear that day. This was a very close call and Watt is luck to be alive. Glad this incident had a happy ending.
Listen to a very detailed report from Watt on the CBC.ca Player.
Tree wells are an often overlooked hazard in the mountains and in the ski world. There have been multiple tree well accidents and terrain trap incidents so far during the 2015/2016 winter. A skier died at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in a tree well, as did a skier at Snoqualmie Pass, and there was another “snow immersion event” at a snowcat operation in BC. Please be safe in the trees.
Tree wells and snow immersion suffocation are terrifying events that ultimate claims many lives every winter. It’s important for everyone to know that tree wells exist both inbounds and in the backcountry. Always be careful when skiing in the trees.. Once stuck in a tree well, it is nearly impossible to get out on your own. Learn more about tree well safety at DeepSnowSafety.org.
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Read more about this avalanche/tree well incident in Whistler from these sources:
- CBC.ca
- CBC Player – CBC.ca (Listen To A 10 Minute Interview With Colin Watt)
