Incident Reports

2 photos

Incident Reports

Kananaskis Country Public Safety responded to a fatal avalanche incident on May 24, 2016 after receiving a report of an overdue scrambler from the day before. On May 23 a solo scrambler had planned a trip up Mt Lawson. The subject had made the summit and while on descent triggered a size 2.0 loose wet avalanche and was critically buried in a terrain trap. The avalanche was triggered on a NE aspect at approximately 2500m. The avalanche was quite narrow, but traveled over 500m vertical distance and funneled into a prominent gully feature lower on the mountain.

Cold and wet weather deposited up to 40cm of snow in the Alpine through much of the Kananaskis Region over the May long weekend. Numerous loose wet avalanches were observed today during the recovery operation and avalanche control work to protect the accident site produced several size 2.0 loose wet avalanches that ran a very long distance. This recent snow will take several days to stabilize. A very cautious and conservative approach to avalanche terrain is advised until this recent snow has a chance to stabilize.

On The Map

These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.