Avalanche Strikes Group of 13 Backcountry Skiers On Self Guided Tour In The Esplanade Range Near Golden, BC
Esplanade Range, British Columbia – On Sunday, February 21, 2016 thirteen backcountry skiers were caught in an avalanche near the Sunrise Lodge in the Esplanade Range northwest of Golden, British Columbia. Everyone in the party was located, but the avalanche injured seven members of the group. Unfortunately, one man died of his injuries several days later.
Six ambulances and two helicopters from Calgary and STARS were dispatched to the area at around 11 AM. Seven people were airlifted to the hospital. One critically injured skier was flown to Calgary, while another serious injury was taken to Kamloops. Patients with minor injuries were treated in Golden. On February 25, the critically injured man from Canmore died from his injuries.
The avalanche is estimated to be size 2 to 3. It occurred on a slope close to the lodge near tree line.
According to the Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association, the group was on a self-guided tour. They were part of a larger group staying at the Sunrise Lodge – a backcountry lodge managed by Golden Alpine Holidays. The Sunrise Lodge is located at 7,000′ in the Esplanade Range at the headwaters of Wisted Creek.
This avalanche occurred during an avalanche warning across eastern and southeastern BC issued by Avalanche Canada. That avalanche warning was issued from Friday February 19 to Monday February 22 affecting the North Columbia, South Columbia, the Purcells, and the Kootenay Boundary. Glacier National Park issued a similar warning.
This avalanche happened the day after an avalanche near Quartz Creek west of Golden, BC killed a snowmobiler from Calgary.
We will try to update this post as more information becomes available.
Update 2/25: Critically injured 64-year-old man from Canmore died of his injuries on February 25. (CBC.ca)
Upddate 3/3: The victim has been identified as Douglas James Churchill of Canmore. (CBC.ca)
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Read more about the avalanche near Golden, British Columbia that caught 13 backcountry skiers from these sources:
- Avalanche.ca Special Avalanche Warning
- TheProvince.ca
- CBC.ca
- GlobalNews.ca
- Backcountry Lodges Of British Columbia Association – Avalanche Press Release
- Golden Alpine Holidays – Sunrise Lodge
