THE YEAR OF THE DEADLY AVALANCHE YV Introduction

When Canadians think about ava- moment with tonnes of snow and ice Focus lanches, generally their first thought pinning their bodies to the ground, Each year new contains a vision of massive tons of crushing the life out of them. reports chronicle the tragedy of an snow thundering down a mountainside. Is there a value, then, to the recre- individual or group In the world as a whole, however, ational sport of backcountry skiing? Of of recreational avalanches can mean a variety of course there is. It provides a significant skiers who find things. Rockslides are avalanches of workout for the cardiovascular system. themselves victims rock, which have detached from a Muscles develop and people feel great of a “freak” ava- mountain or hill. Mudslides usually after extensive and frequent exercise. lanche. The winter of 2002-3 was occur after intense or long-term rainfall. It is, in part, for these reasons that particularly tragic This undermines the base of a hill or people seek to challenge their bodies as two major cliff, and the wet, muddy soil falls and for schools to support the exercise avalanches killed 14 down the slope, sometimes crushing and activity that this sport provides. A people in the Rocky homes and killing people. Sometimes healthy body is one better prepared to Mountains. avalanches are associated with volca- learn. Teenagers thrive on physical noes; other times they occur under activity and it provides for them a well- YV Sections water, causing destructive tsunami waves. balanced approach to life. marked with this The word avalanche can strike fear in At what point, though, does the risk symbol indicate the hearts of many and excitement in outweigh the benefit? Questions like content suitable for the hearts of a few. What makes people these haunt those charged with the younger viewers. choose to ski in dangerous areas? Why responsibility of deciding the level of do they insist on challenging nature and acceptable risk. The principal of a Update placing their lives in danger? For some school knows that whenever any risk is On March 26, as it is the same reason mountain climbers involved, he or she must never make this report was climb and skydivers jump. It is the rush the wrong decision. To be wrong means being prepared, of adrenaline and a living-on-the-edge the potential death of a student. The two new ava- quality of life that spurs them on. For wrong decision may place one in the lanches in the same others it might be a lack of respect for shadow of grieving parents and suffer- general area of B.C. claimed four more nature or even a simple lack of under- ing friends. It is then that the question lives—three standing. of risk has true meaning. Is any level of snowmobilers and Whatever it is that encourages them, risk worth a life? one heli-skier. At each year people die in the flash of a this point a total of 23 people have died in avalanches To Consider in British Columbia. 1. Backcountry skiing can be a hazardous sport, leading to injury or even death. Based on the events of the winter of 2002-3, should this sport be banned to the public in areas of “considerable” avalanche probabil- ity? Why? Why not?

2. Given the opportunity, would you choose to join a field trip where backcountry skiing in the mountains was planned? Explain.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 32 THE YEAR OF THE DEADLY AVALANCHE YV Video Review

1. Deaths from avalanches today are usually associated with what group Answer the ques- tions on these of people? pages while view- ing the video. 2. What is the “backcountry”?

3. The Durand Glacier avalanche had a risk rating of “considerable” on the day seven skiers were killed. What does “considerable” mean?

4. Describe the experience of John Seibert, avalanche survivor, on that fateful day.

5. What was the claim to fame of avalanche victim Craig Kelly?

6. Even after the deaths of four of their friends, how many of the surviv- ing skiers chose to continue their ski adventure the next day?

7. What fortunate coincidence aided in the rescue attempt of the first skier who survived?

8. How much of the Revelstoke economy depends on recreational backcountry skiing?

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 33 9. Why is Parks Canada opposed to closing the backcountry whenever Did you know . . . there is an avalanche risk? Canada’s worst avalanche took place in 1910 near Roger’s Pass, B.C.? In that tragedy 62 workers were killed 10. When do avalanches usually occur? by a snow ava- lanche. Ironically they were in the pass trying to clear the debris from an 11. What human activities could cause an avalanche? earlier avalanche.

12. On average, Canada has how many avalanche deaths each year?

13. Canadian officials believe there are two reasons why backcountry skiing is safer now. What are these reasons?

i) ______

ii) ______

14. In your opinion can backcountry skiing ever be truly considered safe? Explain.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 34 THE YEAR OF THE DEADLY AVALANCHE YV Backcountry Tragedy

On Monday, January 20, 2003, a tragedy The bodies of the seven victims of the Further Research occurred on the Durand Glacier near avalanche were recovered and sent to For more informa- Revelstoke B.C. Seven tourists on a Revelstoke. They included four Canadi- tion about skiing holiday were swept away to their Strathcona- ans—Naomi Heffler, Jean-Luc Tweedsmuir School deaths by an avalanche reaching a level Schwendener, Dave Finnerty, and Craig and its activities, of 3.5 out of 5 on the severity scale. Kelly—and three Americans—Kathleen visit www.sts.ab.ca. Twenty-one seasoned skiers set out Kessler, Dennis Yates, and Ralph To view current that morning from their backcountry Lunsford. avalanche condi- lodge. It was a beautiful day for skiing The skiers had been well prepared. tions across and they were well trained and capable Canada, visit the They had participated in a pre-skiing Canadian Ava- of handling almost any emergency. At weather update and they had the appro- lanche Centre at 11:00 a.m., without warning, a slab of priate survival equipment. “Collec- www.avalanche.ca. ice and snow detached from the slope of tively, I estimate our group had over the glacier with a thunderous clap. 300 person-years of experience in the Suddenly the 30-by-100 metre shelf of backcountry” (Calgary Sun, Pablo snow plunged down on the skiers, Fernandez, 2003). burying 13. This was a tragedy of significant The quick actions of the remaining proportions. It involved experienced eight proved crucial in minimizing the skiers who were aware of the risks, well tragedy. Six were saved, dug out by prepared, and confident. They know- their comrades. Each had been ingly chose to take the risk and were equipped with homing signals and competent to do so. shovels. The remaining seven were too Less than two weeks later, in the deeply buried, as much as five metres same region, a group of 14 Grade 10 beneath the surface. They died quickly, students from Strathcona-Tweedsmuir crushed by the tonnes of snow pinning School, along with three adult leaders, them down and blocking their ability to met the same tragic fate. The school breathe. had a 20-year tradition of taking its What was it like to be swept up in an students to the mountains to develop avalanche? Survivor John Seibert their skiing skills and to build character. explained his experience. “It was like I Despite the tragedy of January 20, the was swimming down the roughest river school decided to continue with its I’ve ever been in, trying to keep my plans. head above the water” (, Parental permission slips had been Daniel Girard, January 22, 2003). signed, providing the approvals neces- “It’s like being in white water, then it sary to carry out a field trip. The teacher stops and then it’s like being in con- guides were experts in backcountry crete.” Seibert, 53, was buried up to his skiing and the students had completed a neck, his left arm sticking out of the safety course designed to make them snow beside him. “The remainder of my competent to participate in this adven- body was locked in concrete-hard ture. snow” (Calgary Sun, Pablo Fernandez, “On Friday, as the group’s vans rode January 22, 2003). the four hours to Rogers Pass, they read

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 35 the avalanche warning signs and went eventuality. “They were as prepared as through five long tunnels built because they could have been,” says Ingrid constant slides had buried the highway. Healy, assistant head of school at STS. Once in Rogers Pass, the students skied “As anyone could have been” (Sports for 20 minutes from the highway to the Illustrated, George Dohrmann, Febru- A. O. Wheeler Hut, a three-bedroom ary 17, 2003). log cabin maintained by the Alpine The wind was clocked at about 25 Club of Canada. That afternoon they km/h in the lower levels, but on the skied near the cabin. Supervised by upper slopes it had been pounding the Andrew Nicholson and Dale Roth, snow at over 70 km/h for a week. At avalanche-certified teachers, they dug 11:45 a.m., as the students were passing avalanche pits, did snowpack testing beneath the slopes of Mount Cheops, a and performed compression tests on massive slab of snow, 800 metres wide every slope. They set out storm boards and a kilometre long, tore itself away to collect the overnight snowfall and in from the peak and plummeted down the morning compared the samples with onto the unsuspecting students. Within the snow already on the ground” seconds they were buried. (Sports Illustrated, George Dohrmann, Fortunately two experienced skiers, February 17, 2003). Rich Marshall and Abby Watkins, were The teachers then checked with local above the slide and saw where the officials to get the latest information bodies were buried. They immediately about the region. The avalanche risk started down to the students and began rating of “moderate” for the lower to dig out those they could find. There slopes indicated that naturally caused were a few arms and legs protruding avalanches were unlikely, but human- from the snow, so the first few finds caused avalanches were possible. A were fairly simple. Fortuitously, the disturbing rating of “considerable” first survivor extracted from the snow referred to the upper slopes. Mount had a cell phone. Emergency aid was Cheops, a 2590-metre peak, was among called and within 45 minutes a crew of these and crossed the path of the next rescuers was digging in. Those who had day’s skiing. After discussing the managed to land near the surface were matter with the students, they decided fine and easy to recover. The others, to proceed through that area the next however, were too far down, and were day. impossible to reach. The area had frequently been un- When all was said and done, seven stable, and the Canadian military rou- bright young students were dead. Ben tinely used artillery to create controlled Albert, Daniel Arato, Scott Broshko, avalanches. The snow in the area was Alex Pattillo, Michael Shaw, Marissa layered due to the types of weather Staddon, and Jeffrey Tricket were laid experienced by the region. These layers to rest in a series of services over the alternated from crusts to soft layers. following days. The school was devas- This made the total area very unstable. tated. All field trips were cancelled and The students followed standard safety their future was placed under review. practice. They formed a line of pairs Some of the bereaved parents ac- with 50-foot intervals as they proceeded cepted the loss and maintained their on their way. They wore beacons and support for the school’s programs. Karl carried shovels, well prepared for any Staddon, Marissa’s father said, “From

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 36 our meetings I’m persuaded that all Rambos? Conquerors? I think what the precautions were taken. The avalanche world needs is tolerance, compassion, was extraordinarily large, the rescue wisdom, and I don’t think you have to efforts were massive, and the survivors go hiking up a mountain for that. For- made heroic attempts to find additional give me as a bereaved grandfather survivors. I’m at peace with the deci- expressing his thoughts, but I think sion made to proceed with the trip that these things should be rethought” day” (Calgary Sun, Licia Corbella, (Calgary Sun, Licia Corbella, February February 7, 2003). 5, 2003). Other family members were not so “It’s absolutely critical that students’ forgiving. Daniel Arato’s grandfather, safety is first and foremost,” said Donna John Konig, stated at Daniel’s funeral, Broshko, whose son was killed in “What saddens me is that this tragedy Saturday’s accident at Glacier National didn’t have to happen. Whoever is in Park. Nothing can erase or change charge of these programs, I understand what’s happened and that’s the part we they say they are geared toward charac- have to live with,” Brosko said yester- ter building. I respect the intention, but day. “But they have to address this. If to build character you need a live body. there is any risk to kids, should we be What kind of character are we trying to doing this? Absolutely not” (Toronto build by this type of adventure? Star, Daniel Girard, February 4, 2003).

Responding Two tragedies occurred in the same area only days apart. In a carefully written paragraph or two, outline your opinion of the advisability of the Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School ski trip that led to the deaths of seven stu- dents.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 37 THE YEAR OF THE DEADLY AVALANCHE The Science of Avalanches

The avalanches that caused the trag- hard crust. On top of that may be a drier Further Research edies killing a total of 14 persons last layer that remains loose, followed again To learn more January and February were of the more by a crusty layer. At some point the about avalanches, landslides, rock destructive “slab” variety. This type of pressures created by these layers are falls, etc. consider a avalanche has a wide swath of snow affected by human activity or wind, or visit to the Terrain detach as a coherent whole and precipi- rapid thawing and freezing. It is then Sciences Division of tate down the slope, taking out anything that the hazard becomes real. With a the Geological it hits. loud crack, a whole section of this snow Survey of Canada Avalanches can consist of rock, mud, will suddenly detach from the rest of at http:// sts.gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/ dirt, or snow. The first three are usually the slope. It will shift as a whole, and clf/landslides.asp. referred to as slides. Snow is always then crumble as it descends. called an avalanche and comes in two To predict the possibility of an ava- varieties: loose-snow and slab. lanche there are a number of snow tests The loose-snow avalanche is usually that can be done. These include the found in soft, lightly packed snow that rutschblock test, slope test, shovel tilt has little coherence. It starts with a and shovel shear tests, and compression small piece of snow detaching from the test. In all cases these tests are designed slope and grows in a fan-like manner as to examine snow conditions. it descends. These avalanches are The rutschblock test has the skier cut usually fairly small and have little out a piece of the snow and dig a trench destructive force. on three sides. Once created, the skier The slab avalanche results from a then jumps and stands on the cut-out generally very coherent range of snow piece to see if a slide will occur. The that has settled on a weak under layer, compression test has the skier test a usually looser snow. The upper crust dug-out column of snow to see if a bit tends to lose its connection with the of force will compress the snow. The looser snow, and a large segment will easier it is to compress the snow, the detach and move down the slope as a greater the risk of avalanche. The shovel whole. Shortly, this whole begins to shear and tilt tests are similar. In both break up, and the force grows until a the skier cuts a block of snow with his swath of territory is stripped of snow shovel and tries to force layers to separate. and anything in its path. Trees, rocks, Again, the easier this can be done the animals, or people will be thrown down greater the chance of an avalanche. the slope as well. The whole process These snow packs are fairly safe until takes little time, and the width of the you consider the trigger factors that slide can be considerable. When this might cause the slide. The skier should happens, groups of people can be consider a range of possible triggers placed in a position where there is and account for them all. The wind, nowhere to go except into the flow. particularly on a lee slope, will be one What is it that causes this detach- trigger. The snow conditions as discov- ment? The snow on a slope builds up ered by the various tests or through over the course of winter. At times the observation of the slopes are trigger snow is wet and will freeze, forming a factors. If the tests show shearing or

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 38 easy compression, or the weather pected probability of an avalanche in Further Research suddenly warms up, these might signify the area is absolutely vital. To view weather a potential slide. Visible cracks in the After preplanning a safe route bulletins relating to pack or cracking sounds are obvious through the mountainous terrain, the avalanche condi- tions go to The clues, as is the presence of other ava- group of skiers should form a line of Canadian Ava- lanches in the immediate region. Be- pairs. Each pair should have a set of lanche Centre Web yond these natural triggers, human safety equipment and be spaced apart site at triggers can also precipitate an ava- from the other pairs. This way an www.avalanche.ca/ lanche. Skiers, snowboarders, or snow- avalanche might hit only a portion of weather/bulletins/ index.html. mobiles can create enough noise or spot the group, leaving those missed able to pressure to start an avalanche. attempt a rescue. One intentional method of creating an If skiers are caught in an avalanche, avalanche is through the use of artillery. there are things they can do to improve The Canadian Forces often use this their chances of survival. They can let method to clear an avalanche threat. go of the bindings to free their feet. The explosive charge detonates, creat- They can rid themselves of large packs ing a loud noise and destabilizing the or bags. As if in water, they should try snow enough to send it down the slope. to “swim” upward to reach the surface This is done when no skiers are present. and look for opportunities to grab something solid like a tree or rock. Protecting Skiers Finally, they should keep their mouths Beyond testing the consistency of the shut so they do not fill with snow. They snow and observing the general condi- should form an air pocket in front of tions of a slope, what else can skiers do their faces with their arms as the ava- to protect themselves? First and fore- lanche starts to settle. Once stopped, most they can take an avalanche safety skiers should try to crawl upward, but course. The training can mean the relax and conserve energy if the difference between life and death. struggle to gain the surface fails. Skiers can gain insights about how to (Sources: The Basic Essentials of react to an avalanche and learn how to Avalanche Safety, Tilton, 1992; utilize the safety equipment. The safety Backcountry Avalanche Awareness, equipment they plan to take with them Jamieson, 2000) on a day’s excursion should include a After all these precautions are taken, transceiver, a probe, and a shovel. Extra there is one last thing to remember. food, warm clothing, and a first-aid kit “The only absolute rule in avalanche can make the aftermath of an avalanche forecasting is . . . there are no absolute survivable. Checking in with the local rules” (Rob Newcomb, from The Basic park authorities to determine the ex- Essentials of Avalanche Safety).

Questions 1. Outline the methods used to determine the stability of snow on a slope.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 39 2. Which of the methods do you feel is the best? Why?

3. Why is a slab avalanche a more dangerous variety of avalanche?

4. What are the precautions one can take to prepare for a ski trip through avalanche country?

5. What can one do to improve the chances of survival if caught in an avalanche?

6. Describe any dangerous experience you have had while skiing. Did it change your attitude to the sport? Explain.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 40 THE YEAR OF THE DEADLY AVALANCHE YV Risk and Reward

“Let me tell you, a ‘considerable’ (risk) between stout trees or outcroppings of A segment of the means the potential for really big fun rock. There is never an accident, and population finds it necessary to push exists. It’s damn the torpedoes and full- the thought is that the equipment is so the limits of excite- speed ahead. The closer you can get to good that anybody can gain the neces- ment and routinely the conditions of a powder avalanche, sary level of control to emulate their place themselves in the closer you are to ecstasy and the video heroes. “Every human being with dangerous, even idea is to stay just on the safe side of two legs, two arms, is going to wonder deadly, situations just for the “fun” that catastrophic event” (Mike how fast, how strong, how enduring he of it. Is the rush D’Amour, Calgary Sun, January 21, or she is,” says Eric Perlman, a moun- worth the risk? 2003). taineer and filmmaker specializing in Should society It is this attitude that causes the extreme sports. “We are designed to support those who greatest concern. It is this attitude that experiment or die” (Time, K.T. try and fail these drives people to the extreme, to send Greenfeld et al, August 6, 1999). personal chal- lenges? them beyond safe limits and increase The trend toward the extreme has one their love of life while placing it in the troubling side effect. Ski resorts are gravest danger. Too many with this spending considerable resources to attitude do not survive their excitement. patrol out-of-bounds areas because of They fall victim to their need to go one the public’s propensity to find that step further, too often one step too far. perfect run. What these people don’t Thrill-seekers push the envelope seem to realize is the areas are out of looking for that perfect snow. They hire bounds for a reason. “We can’t forbid helicopters to drop them off in the you (to) ski in uncontrolled areas, but middle of the backcountry on slopes we don’t encourage it at all,” said untested and potentially dangerous. To Jimmy Spencer, president of Canada them the thrill is being the first to carve West Ski Areas Association. “Besides their skis through the pristine snow, the hazards, you could simply fall and caring little for the risk of avalanche, hurt yourself or lose a ski, and sit confident that they can survive any- helpless for a very long time. Even if thing. Al Matheson, operator of Sun- you’re prepared, you’ve taken courses, shine Village’s Res-Q-Tech, sums up packed properly, and dressed properly, this careless attitude. “The problem it doesn’t make you bomb-proof” with a lot of kids is that they aren’t (Toronto Star, F. Katz, February 24, scared. They think they can ski or board 1999). faster than the slide, but avalanches can There are no rules in Canada concern- run at 200 miles per hour, so they have ing out-of-bounds activities. In the no chance!” (Calgary Sun, Ron Manz, United States there are sign-up sheets at December 28, 1999). some resorts; in others fines or even jail Where does this sense of invincibility terms are possible. In Canada, if a come from? One source is the compa- search and rescue attempt is made, there nies that manufacture the extreme is no cost to the victim. In the United sports equipment. Their advertising States significant charges may apply. continuously shows skiers or boarders Where does the education system fit flying through the air, landing flawlessly into this situation? Should schools

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 41 provide safety training, emphasizing the Tweedsmuir School, still feeling the preventative measures necessary to pain of their loss, has now to rethink its avoid injury? Some feel that schools field-trip policies. Education and a should also consider developing risk refusal to place students in dangerous assessment tools to assist them in situations could still build character as deciding the relative value of trips to well as save precious young lives. support curriculum. Strathcona-

To Consider 1. In your view, should Canada institute rules with fines to keep people out of uncontrolled areas? Explain.

2. Should Canada establish a fee schedule for any search and rescue mission, particularly in uncontrolled or out-of-bounds areas? Explain.

3. To what extent should sports equipment manufacturers be account- able for their advertising?

4. How should schools address student interest in extreme sports?

Extension Activity Create a set of three to five policy statements that a school should follow when planning an out-of-town field trip. Be prepared to discuss these state- ments with your peers. How do they compare with existing policy state- ments in your school?

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 42 THE YEAR OF THE DEADLY AVALANCHE YV The Michel Trudeau Story

November 13, 1998, was the fateful day survived. The snow pack was still small Further Research Michel Trudeau, youngest son of enough to be survivable. When they hit To learn more former prime minister , the water Trudeau was flung far out about the Canadian Avalanche Founda- was swept into by an from shore. Bendarz struggled to shore, tion visit avalanche and drowned. It was early in but Trudeau could not get out of his www.avalanche the snow season and the Canadian heavy pack and clothing. Within min- foundation.ca. Avalanche Centre hadn’t even issued its utes, the near freezing water over- first avalanche report of the year. It was whelmed him and he was dragged down a series of seemingly unrelated coinci- to the depths of the lake. His friends dences that led to his watched helplessly, unable to get to him tragic and early death. in time. Attempts were made to recover Michel Trudeau, an avid hiker and the body, but the 91-metre-deep lake experienced skier, spent Remembrance refused to yield its newest casualty. Day hiking through the mountains After the funeral Trudeau’s brothers toward the Slocan Chief, a popular took up the cause of avalanche aware- chalet in Kokanee Glacier Provincial ness. Sacha and his mother Margaret Park. Two days later, despite a nasty championed the cause, raising funds to turn in the weather, Trudeau and three support the work of the Canadian friends decided to make their way back Avalanche Association, which runs the home through the high winds and heavy Canadian Avalanche Centre. Justin, snow. It was a tough passage, with Michel’s oldest brother, became a snow drifting up to 60 cm. By 1:00 p.m. director of a new organization, the they had reached the halfway point of Canadian Avalanche Foundation, which their 10 km journey. raises funds to create more awareness On a slope overlooking Kokanee of avalanche safety. In that capacity he Lake the unthinkable happened. There took on the British Columbia govern- was a crack, and a shelf of heavy snow ment as they sought to eliminate their shot down the slope. Trudeau and his annual contribution to the foundation. friends were caught up in the flow, Without those funds, the warning pushed down toward the lake. Trudeau system would not be able to operate. and Andrew Bendarz were thrown into Because of the public nature of the the water. It was still too early in the , this tragedy served to season for it to have frozen over. Ironi- increase the profile of the Canadian cally, had the water been frozen both Avalanche Association and the work Trudeau and Bendarz would have easily they do to prevent tragic incidents. To Do Write a letter to your provincial and or federal representative outlining your views on the need for support of the Canadian Avalanche Association. Whether you oppose or support the organization, use clear arguments and specific details in the presentation of your position.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 43 YV

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 44