LAKE LOUISE – STARS air ambulance flew a ski mountaineer in serious condition to a Calgary hospital after he tumbled about 650 metres down the southwest ridge of Mount Temple on Thursday (June 20).
According to Parks Canada rescuers, two skiers were climbing the southwest ridge of the 3,544m mountain and were planning to ski down the same way.
“The first person was kicking steps up the summit ridge and fell through the cornice at 3,350 meters near some rocks, triggering a small slab below,” states Parks Canada’s report on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
“The person was carried approximately 650 m down the southwest face towards Sentinel Pass, through some cliffs, and stopped at 2,950 metres.”
There are no details on the state of the skier’s injuries.
STARS air ambulance was called to Lake Louise.
“I can confirm that STAR-1 was dispatched to support an approximately 40-year-old male patient in the Lake Louise area, who required support following trauma-related injuries, and transported them to Foothills Medical Centre for further treatment,” said Jonah van Driesum, STARS’ communications officer.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
– With files from Matthew Thompson
