Backcountry trek triggers avalanche

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March 1, 2010

<img src="/homepage/images_image_276103054" alt="">  Backcountry skiers escape injury at Angel Slide on Wright Peak

By KIM SMITH DEDAM The Press Republican Mon Mar 01, 2010, 10:28 PM EST

NORTH HUDSON — Weather and large amounts of new snow have set dangerous avalanche conditions in the Adirondack backcountry.

Two men were caught in an avalanche last weekend on what is commonly called the Angel Slides on Wright Peak.

Both men escaped unharmed, said Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman David Winchell, based in Ray Brook.

PINNED BY SNOW
"One man was pinned against a stump and buried up to his chest, while the other traveled more than 600 feet before stopping, buried up to his neck," Winchell said.

"Both were able to dig themselves out of the snow and left the area without further incident."

Winchell said the two backcountry skiers, whose names were not released, triggered a 300-by-1,200-foot area to slide down the mountain. He said the pile of snow debris at the base exceeded 20 feet deep in spots.

DEC forest rangers were not called in for rescue, he said, but began an investigation to make sure no one else was in the area at the time.

"(Forest rangers) found no evidence of people unaccounted for in the area and have determined that, fortunately, nobody else was in the avalanche," Winchell said.

POPULAR SPOT
Wright is the most northern peak in the MacIntyre Range, with long gashes along the northeast side that resemble open trails, which are really areas scraped clean by rock slides.

They are popular with winter guides taking skiers into the backcountry.

The Wright slides drop to Marcy Dam, a central gathering point for hikers year round.

But the area has claimed life before.

"On Feb. 17, 2000, another avalanche occurred on this very same slide," Winchell said. "It was triggered by a group of skiers and claimed the life of one of them."

DUG TEST PIT
The skiers caught in last weekend's slide had checked conditions first.

"The backcountry skiers had dug a test pit at the base of the slide before heading up to ski down," Winchell said.

A test pit is used to determine stability of the snowpack, revealing weakened or soft layers in deep snow.

"But while climbing the slide, they heard 'woofing' noises coming from the fresh snow and decided to retreat back to the base," Winchell said.

"As they were turned to head back down, the snow gave way, carrying both men (with it)."

Winchell did not say whether the young men had avalanche gear, beacons or probes with them.

WARNING SIGNS
According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, based in Boulder, Colo., several indicators warn of pending avalanche.

"Keep an eye out for any cracks shooting across the surface or small slabs shearing off. These are signs of weakened snowpack.

"Also, listen for 'hollow' or 'whumping' noises as you walk or ski. This indicates that there is a weaker layer underneath, leaving the surface layer more prone to collapse," Snow and Ice Data Center advises.

According to the center's statistics, climbers, backcountry skiers and snowmobilers are by far the most likely to be involved in avalanches.

Online data reports "89 percent of victims are men; most victims are between the ages of 20 and 29 ... and three-quarters of victims are experienced backcountry recreationists, who are more likely to enter risky situations."

DEC has issued an avalanche alert for the Adirondack Mountain backcountry.

E-mail Kim Smith Dedam at: kdedam@pressrepublican.com