12:00 p.m. UPDATE: The Valdez Police Department was notified of a heliski helicopter en route to Valdez with an injured heliski guide. A preliminary investigation revealed that 46-year-old Valdez resident Michael Hamilton was serving as a guide to the party in the Thompson Pass/southern Chugach area. He was on the mountain scouting a run for the guests when he inadvertently triggered an avalanche that carried him approximately 1,500 feet down the mountain and over a steep cliff. Hamilton was able to deploy his avalanche airbag system and was equipped with appropriate avalanche mitigation equipment. The heliski helicopter rescued Hamilton was unconscious when he was recovered and flown to Valdez for advanced medical care. Despite the life-saving efforts of the heliski operation and medical staff in Valdez, Hamilton was declared deceased in Valdez, according to the Alaska State Troopers. Next of kin have been notified.
ORIGINAL: Alaska Wildlife Troopers on Tuesday afternoon were notified of an emergency SOS activation from a satellite communication device. Preliminary information determined that a group of three adults were recreating near the Worthington Glacier in Thompson Pass. The group unintentionally triggered an avalanche that injured two of the adults.
Alaska Wildlife Troopers coordinated a private helicopter operation from Valdez to respond to the area with Valdez Fire Department EMS personnel. The private helicopter rescued all three individuals and transported them to Valdez where the two injured adults received medical care, according to the online trooper dispatch.
Authorities advise the public to be aware that avalanche danger is elevated in the backcountry as springtime temperatures cover much of Alaska. The Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers encourage anyone that is heliskiing, backcountry skiing, or snowmachining to use extreme caution as there have been a series of dangerous avalanches in the last week in Southcentral Alaska and the Copper River Basin.
If you must be in the backcountry ensure that you have avalanche mitigation equipment such as a probe, avalanche beacon, avalanche airbag system, and shovel. Always carry a communication device that will work wherever you are going and bring along clothing appropriate for the conditions.
Always check weather and avalanche forecasting before you depart and tell a trusted friend or family member where you are going and when you will be back.
Photo credits courtesy of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources website.
