Photo from the scene.Photo:Cooper Landing Emergency Services
Cooper Landing Emergency Services
An avalanche in Alaska has left two backcountry skiers injured and one dead after they fell down a mountain on Tuesday.
The three men were ascending a slope on John Mountain in the Kenai Mountains when they “triggered an avalanche that propagated 100-200 feet above them,” the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center stated in apreliminary report.
The avalanche was approximately “150 feet wide and ran for 700 vertical feet,” according to the center’s report.
Cooper Landing EMS Deputy Chief Clay Adam toldThe Anchorage Daily Newsthat the avalanche “broke loose” and carried the men “800 to 1,000 feet down.” After being swept away, two of the skiers were able to “self-rescue.”
First responders at the scene.Cooper Landing Emergency Services
The two surviving skiers were transported to a local hospital with “serious, not expected to be life-threatening injuries,” per the organization.
“CLES would like to remind anyone who engages in backcountry recreational activities to please check the local avalanche conditions before setting out. Always be prepared with the appropriate safety gear regardless of how safe and experienced you might be! These victims had all the necessary safety gear and it still proved deadly,” they added in their update.
Photo of snow in the area.Cooper Landing Emergency Services
On the day of the accident, the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center issued awarning on Facebook, noting that there was “high danger due to very strong east winds impacting the mountains.”
“Widespread natural wind slab avalanches were likely occurring last night and are expected to do so through today. These could break in a buried weak layer, making larger avalanches that could run further than expected. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended,” their post read.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According to theColorado Avalanche Information Center, eight people have died in avalanches during the 2023-2024 season.
source: people.com
