FIELD, B.C – A lone skier was swept away in an avalanche on Cathedral Mountain in Yoho National Park last Friday (March 29), but the body was not recovered until three days later when reported missing.
According to a Parks Canada post on Avalanche Canada’s Mountain Information Network, the solo skier skied off the shoulder of Cathedral Mountain onto a slope known as Cathedral Glades.
“The victim was located from the air because a ski was visible,” states the MIN report.
“Once landed, the rescuers found the victim was partially buried, with a boot also visible on the snow surface. A transceiver was found switched off in the victim’s backpack.”
According to the post, the size 2.5 avalanche happened on Friday (March 29) on the north face at about 2,000-metre elevation.
“The skier triggered a size 2.5 avalanche, which appears to have failed on or stepped down to the Feb 3 persistent weak layer,” states the post.
"The victim was not reported missing until late in the day on April 1.”
Currently, avalanche conditions are rated considerable in the alpine for much of the region.
This Outlook will update the story as more information becomes available.
