One killed, two injured in mountain skiing accident

[Stephen]

http://www4.fosters.com/news2004/March2004/March_08/News/reg_nh_0308.04b.asp

MOUNT CLAY, N.H. (AP) — One man was killed and two injured in a back country skiing accident Sunday on Mount Clay.

The three were skiing near the summit between Mount Washington and Mount Jefferson when one fell and then a second fell trying to get his skis off to help the first. The one who was killed fell hundreds of feet down an extremely steep slope that ends in a boulder field, Fish and Game officer Douglas Gralenski said.

The second man suffered rib and hip injuries, and the third man suffered frostbite, Gralenski said. They were taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin.

Their names and hometowns were withheld until relatives could be notified, but Gralenski said they were middle age.

One of the men called 911 on a cell phone for help at about 3 p.m. and state parks officer Mike Pelchat, who was at the summit of Mount Washington, hiked about two hours with a few volunteers to reach the men, needing technical climbing with ropes, ice axes and crampons.

The two injured men were airlifted by National Guard helicopter to the base of Mount Washington at about 8:30 p.m. The body of the third man was to be retrieved Monday by helicopter if the weather was OK. Otherwise, rescuers would have to hike up.

"We’ll have our hands full with all day long to get him out of there," Gralenski said.

The temperature on the mountain was about 11 degrees with light winds.

 

[ChileMass]

Unreal - there have been more skiing fatalities this year than any other I can ever remember. Yeah, it's a risky sport, but this is getting ridiculous.

BTW - is VFTT down again today? I was hoping to go over there and look for some more info about this incident.......

 

[GadgetRick]

Not sure about number...

I'm not so sure there are more fatalities this year or they're just publishing more. Remember all the shark attack scares? There were no more than usual, less actually, but the media has gotten better (or worse?) at reporting these incidents.

 

[powers]

I just found out this morning that this happened to my friends. I'm going to visit the one still in the hospitial after work. All three of these guys are expirienced back country skiers and I have skied with them many times. From my understanding, my friend that died was swapping from skinned skis to cramp-ons when one slipped off. Unfourtunately he was not tied off when he fell.
I just don't want any one to think that these were some guys that just finished watching Ski Movie and descided to go hike a bowl. They all have skied extensively the B-C at Smuggs, Jay, Stowe, and various other places. I've seen them turn back when things weren't right. None the less, the next time you duck rope or hike for turns, be prepaired to pay the price. Get the right gear and use it wisely! A simple rope could have saved his life, and its a lot lighter to carry down than your best friends body. Be careful out there and make some turns for my buddy. Thank you.

 

[Greg]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, powers. Hopefully your other friend recovers soon. Crappy circumstances, but welcome to the boards.

 

[Greg]

BTW - is VFTT down again today? I was hoping to go over there and look for some more info about this incident.......

I can connect. It's just painfully slow today...

 

[ChileMass]

Powers - I too am really sorry to hear about your friends. Skiing, hiking, climbing etc are all inherently risky and accidents happen. I'm glad your friends had many adventures and obviously loved the Whites and the outdoors. It's a sad day when this happens........

 

[Greg]

Update:

N.H. Fish and Game Article

 

[Skier75]

WOW, that's too bad, sorry to hear that.

 

[Greg]

Another Article

 

[bigbog]

re:........

...just goes to show you that regardless of experience, you have to be ready for Motha Nature's baddest actions! all the time....and that's what is tough to do..all the time.