A backcountry skier was caught, buried, and killed in an area of the Anthracite Range locally known as the Playground (east of Ohio Peak). The skier’s partners were able to locate and extricate him from the avalanche debris, but he died from injuries sustained in the avalanche.
The skier was caught in a small avalanche that broke one to two feet deep above a cliff band. He pulled his airbag and was carried over the cliff. Below the cliff a deeper and much broader avalanche released. It broke on a layer of buried surface hoar two to three feet deep. The combined flow of debris from both avalanches carried the skier through trees and completely buried him on the slope below.
Our condolences go out to the friends, family, and everyone involved in this incident.
CAIC and CBAC staff visited the accident site on February 12, 2024. A summary report is here.