Avalanche Incident in Syncline Valley

ECTP14 (moderate range taps, causing full propagation in ECT) in profile dug two days after incident (dug on Feb 5th) around 70m above the previous avalanche. Failed on fragmented, old storm snow underneath a rounded wind slab. Additional depth of failure layer was due to 10cm of storm snow that fell on Feb. 4th. CTs produced sudden, moderate results on the same layer.

On Friday, February 3rd a solo skier crossed out of the ski area boundary to make a few backcountry turns with the intention to return to the ski area. He was unfamiliar with the terrain and got too low to return to the ski area. While continuing downhill, he triggered a size 2 wind slab in steep, rocky backcountry terrain. The initial size 2 wind slab carried the individual around 250m downslope through trees and over rocks. On the way down, more pockets of wind slab were triggered, compounding initial avalanche. The skier came to a stop on top of the debris, caught in small trees. Some debris continued down slope, exact distance was not observed. From this location he was able to call emergency services for help. CMR patrol and Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue (SAR-SAR) were notified around 4pm. As a joint effort they organized a response. Two rescuers from CMR patrol/SAR-SAR located the skier that night, built a shelter and stayed the night with the patient. He had several injuries but his condition was stable. A second team of two rescuers brought additional overnight supplies and returned to the valley bottom that night. In the morning, the patient and the two initial rescuers were flown out of the overnight location by Kananaskis Country Public Safety.