Points North Heli-Adventures grounded flights this week after a group of five heli skiers were caught in an avalanche and sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
According to a Facebook post from Points North owner Kevin Quinn, the group was skiing the Rude River Corridor on March 19, about 18 miles from the coast, at an elevation of 4,400 feet.
From March 8-19, approximately 10.5 inches of rain fell at sea level, he said.
They found 110 centimeters of new snow at 4,000 feet on March 19.
“Multiple ski cuts on test slopes on runs prior to the incident, of similar aspect, elevation and slope angle produced no results,” Quinn said.
At 3 p.m., the fifth skier in the group triggered the avalanche which captured and carried the skier and the rest of the group who were waiting below in what was historically a “safe zone”.
All five skiers were on the surface.
Gear was lost by two skiers and minor, non-life threatening injuries, including a dislocated elbow, knee sprain and possible ligament tear, were sustained by the skier who triggered the avalanche.
A nearby group helped with recovery and assisted with care.
“The day was called immediately and all groups were flown back to the PNH base here in Cordova where a debrief with all guides and all clients then took place,” Quinn said.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Quinn/for The Cordova Times
Quinn’s full statement on the incident is below:
“Today we were very lucky
- Location: Rude River Corridor (18 miles from the coast)
- Elevation: 4400’
- Aspect: NW
- Slope Angle: steepest 40* crown 32*
- Width: 1000’
- Length: 1500’
- Depth: approximately 3’-5’
- ASu-SS-R4-D2.5-I
- Weather: precipitation March 8-19; during this time approximately 10.5” of rain fell at sea level
“Today we pushed into a small weather window following a significant precipitation event. At 4000’ we found approximately 110cm of new snow. In the new snow there were multiple density breaks. Test results were unreactive (a test pit on a similar aspect and elevation produced ECTx). Multiple ski cuts on test slopes on runs prior to the incident, of similar aspect, elevation and slope angle produced no results.
Easing into isolated, fairly short, steeper terrain at 15:00, the fifth skier in a group of five triggered the avalanche. Four in the group below, waiting in what has historically been a “safe-zone” for this run, were captured and carried, along with the skier above. All five were on the surface with some gear lost by two skiers. Minor, non-life threatening injuries were sustained by the skier who triggered the avalanche (dislocated elbow, knee sprain, possible ligament tear).” That is all. An adjacent group very close was able to help with recovery and assist with care. The day was called immediately and all groups were flown back to the PNH base here in Cordova where a debrief with all guides and all clients then took place.
