Item: Lessons Learned From Boulder Mountain
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Title: Lessons Learned From Boulder Mountain
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Mary Clayton [ Canadian Avalanche Centre, Revelstoke, BC ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: The largest recreational avalanche accident in Canadian history occurred on March 13, 2010, on Boulder Mountain, just outside of Revelstoke, BC. This incident involved between 100 and 200 people, parked directly below a well-known area called Turbo Hill, watching two riders on the slope above. A size 3 avalanche, triggered by two high-marking sledders, engulfed them all. Some 60 people were buried, over 30 were injured, and the two high-marking riders were killed. For those of us at the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC), that accident showed us how much we have yet to learn about risk communication. The regional avalanche danger was rated “High†for that weekend, and we had issued the third Special Public Avalanche Warning in as many weeks. We had to ask ourselves: How could so many people be unaware of the risks? What do we need to do to improve communication with this user group? This paper examines some of the strategies the CAC has employed to improve the lines of communication and focus our accident prevention programs on this user group.
Object ID: issw-2012-513-515.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: recreational avalanche data , avalanche danger degree, snomobiles
Page Number(s): 513-515
Subjects: avalanche accident canadian avalanche centre avalanche fatalities
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