Two Whistler Avalanche Fatalities over the weekend

This quote from a CTV NEws report says it all about the recent backcountry conditions in the Whistler area: "Whistler RCMP reported two deaths and several injuries after skiers and snowboarders were caught in separate avalanches in the Blackcomb Glacier and Brandywine Bowl areas. Police said Saturday they responded to four serious search and rescue calls and asked skiers and snowboarders to avoid the backcountry."

The coast region has seen a number of avalanche incidents recently and a few of those have resulted in fatalities. Some details from one of these incidents have been made public and it highlights the difficulties experienced in such scenarios.


David Henkel feeling the stoke the week prior to the incident. Image courtesy of cbc.ca.

David Henkel was trying to lead his party to safety after they realized they were in a bad spot. He was one of a number of individuals caught in the slide but the only fatality in that particular incident. This article from the CBC shares the story of the incident and offers some words about who David Henkel was.

Stay safe out there folks. Sincerest condolences to all those who lost loved ones in the recent wave of avalanche incidents.