The death of an avalanche expert shows the dangers of backcountry skiing
An avalanche forecaster was killed in an avalanche while skiing in Oregon last week, authorities said.
The forecaster, Nick Burks, 37, was skiing on Gunsight Mountain in the Elkhorn Mountains of northeastern Oregon on March 6 when he triggered an avalanche at the top of a couloir, or crevasse, in the mountain. This was reported by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. He was carried down the mountain by the moving snow.
Mr. Burks was skiing with William Sloop, who had already descended and was not injured in the avalanche, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Mr. Sloop performed CPR on Mr. Burks, but to no avail.
Both men had experience skiing in the backcountry, away from official trails, the Sheriff’s Office said, and they were well equipped; Mr. Burks’ airbag deployed.
Mr. Burks was an avalanche specialist for the Wallowa Avalanche Center in Joseph, Oregon, which provides avalanche and weather advisories and trains backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.
The accident has highlighted the dangers of backcountry skiing, which is a far cry from hitting the bunny trail on the local slope. “Resort skiing and backcountry skiing is night and day,” said Craig Gordon, avalanche forecaster for the Utah Avalanche Center. On the slopes of resorts, “the ski patrol has been knocking down avalanches long before we arrive,” he said. “If we move into the hinterland, no avalanches will be caused for us.”
Mr. Gordon advised potential backcountry skiers to have some basic knowledge of their sport and to bring the right equipment, including an avalanche beacon, which emits a radio signal; a shovel; and a probe.
“Everyone in the group must wear this equipment and know how to use it,” Mr Gordon said. ‘We cannot depend on an outside rescue operation. Time evaporates when we are caught in an avalanche and buried under snow.”
He emphasized that avoiding an avalanche in the first place, by checking forecasts and staying away from tricky areas, is the best move. “If we have to use the equipment, it means we made a mistake and caused an avalanche.”
About a quarter of all avalanche deaths are caused by trauma, such as hitting trees. Other victims die of suffocation, buried under snow. That makes it imperative to get them out as quickly as possible.
“Those who survive have only a short window in which partners can be effective in a rescue effort,” Mr Gordon said.
As the death of the experienced and knowledgeable Mr. Burks shows, the danger is there for everyone, even those who are careful and know what they are doing. “There are certain elements of the snowpack, combined with challenging weather conditions, that can throw even the most experienced backcountry travelers for a shock,” Mr. Gordon said.
Predicting avalanches starts with predicting the weather, Mr. Gordon said. “The weather is the architect of all avalanches,” he said. “Forecasters also look at layers in the snowpack, just as a geologist would look at rocks, and whether the snowpack is getting stronger or weaker.”
The result is often daily, slope-specific reports that rate backcountry areas on a scale of one (safest) to five, helping skiers see which slopes to avoid.
Mr. Burks previously served as snow safety supervisor at the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol. The Wallowa Avalanche Center said Mr. Burks has been skiing since before he could remember. He had skied in New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and Japan.
So far in the 2023-2024 winter season, 11 people have been killed by avalanches in the United States: six skiers, three snowmobilers, one snowboarder and one heli-skier, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Last season 30 people died. A large majority of skiers killed in avalanches die in remote areas.