Henderson Mountain

Activity
Snowmobiling
Date
2 caught, 1 buried 7 feet deep
Synopsis

A group of 6 or 7 snowmobilers (part of a larger group of 13) ascended the northern end of Henderson Mountain from Fisher Creek. Two were climbing a slope, two were parked in a run out zone, and two or three others were riding in nearby trees when an adjacent slope avalanched. Of the two parked riders, one escaped and the other was buried 7 feet deep. Of the two riders climbing, one turned downhill as the avalanche released and was caught in the edge of the debris. He was caught, inflated his air bag backpack, and was buried to his waist. The other turned downhill after the avalanche released and were not caught. The two or three riders in the trees were not caught. The group assisted the partially buried rider. They quickly realized another was missing, located him, and dug him out of 7 feet of snow. His skin was blue, but he began breathing on his own. They estimated he was buried for 13 minutes. He did not have any serious injuries.