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January 2, 2009
Avalanche-related death toll up
It’s hard to resist the draw of fresh white snow if you’re an ardent outdoors person, but the draw is turning out to be especially deadly in B.C. this winter. Avalanches have already claimed 10 lives in the province, even though the ski and snowmobile season has barely begun. SFU geologist John Clague, a Canada Research Chair in natural hazard research, notes that typically avalanches claim five to 15 lives annually in all of western Canada. Clague can talk about how various factors are combining to push up B.C.’s avalanche-related death toll. The rising popularity of snowmobiling in rural communities, an unstable snow pack and snow lovers’ lack of adherence to avalanche warnings and ski boundaries are key factors.
John Clague, 604.921.9904, jclague@sfu.ca
It’s hard to resist the draw of fresh white snow if you’re an ardent outdoors person, but the draw is turning out to be especially deadly in B.C. this winter. Avalanches have already claimed 10 lives in the province, even though the ski and snowmobile season has barely begun. SFU geologist John Clague, a Canada Research Chair in natural hazard research, notes that typically avalanches claim five to 15 lives annually in all of western Canada. Clague can talk about how various factors are combining to push up B.C.’s avalanche-related death toll. The rising popularity of snowmobiling in rural communities, an unstable snow pack and snow lovers’ lack of adherence to avalanche warnings and ski boundaries are key factors.
John Clague, 604.921.9904, jclague@sfu.ca
Bradley Edwards
Are the deaths from avalanches typically involving people in high risk areas? (out of bounds at resorts, natural bowls in backcountry, etc) I was under the impression that most resorts did avalanche blasting to make their in-bounds areas safe?
Brad