Tragedy near Tumbler Ridge underscores avalanche dangers
The snowmobiling and backcountry community near Tumbler Ridge are grieving the death of one of their own after Avalanche Canada announced that one person was killed by an avalanche while riding near Tumbler Ridge in the Bullmoose area.
One individual has lost their life to an avalanche in northeastern British Columbia, about 35km southwest of Tumbler Ridge, which was triggered by a snowmobile according to Avalanche Canada.
Although the danger rating for the avalanche was considerable, the group of three had ventured back into the Bullmoose riding area where weather was reported to have rising temperatures accompanied by heavy snow and strong winds. During the initial response, SAR team members noted above freezing temperatures according to the incident report.
One rider was caught and buried in the fatal slide which was between 75-130cm deep according to Avalanche Canada, with a width of roughly 300m and around 240m in length.
Despite the other riders valiantly trying to save their friend, the individual was fully buried and lost their life.
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the fatal avalanche incident in the Bullmoose riding area that occurred yesterday. Our thoughts are with the people involved with this tragedy,” posted Avalanche Canada North Rockies.
The incident has rocked the region’s tight-knit backcountry community and serves as a reminder that the conditions in the mountains can change quickly, and that there are inherent dangers in the backcountry, even on terrain you think you know well.
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