Quick report
Windslab avalanche from cornice breaking.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- AR
- Elevation
- 8900 ft
Today (2/18/24) while snowmobiling we came across an injured snowboarder sitting in a debris field who had just caused a small windslab avalanche on the NNE face of the upper bowls of castle peak. The avalanche was about 1+ft deep at the crown, 60-80ft wide and ran 100-120 ft down the hill. After doing a quick transceiver search to make sure nobody else was buried we attempted to assist the snowboard. He informed us he was in a lot of pain. His upper left arm/shoulder was suspected broken and he complained of sever pain and funny feelings in his lower back. We eventually found out that he had fallen from the cliffs above when a cornice broke. He fell approximately 40-60+ft and may have landed on or close to some rocks. Talking with his group we decided it would be best to ride him out doubles on the snowmobiles to get him to the hospital before the shock and adrenaline wore off. He refused to let us call a helicopter and appeared to have no neck or head injuries.