LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 51 firmed reports of skier triggered avalanches with the destructive potential to bury, injure, or kill a person. In February of 2022, a party of two skiers were caught and buried in an avalanche on Wright Peak. During this incident one skier was able to dig them- selves out of their partial burial, then locate and dig out their partner who was fully buried, resulting in what was likely the first avalanche "save" in the histo- ry of backcountry skiing on the east coast of the Unit- ed States. Worse yet, although it was never officially confirmed, it seems possible that we recently had our first avalanche fatality since 2000. In March 2022, a solo climber was found deceased in the Trap Dike on Mt. Colden under four feet of snow. The climber was reportedly discovered in a position consistent with avalanche fatalities. Expanding educational access and opportunities An additional mission of ADK Avy is increasing ac- cess to avalanche education opportunities. We believe that with better access to avalanche education and a more prevalent conversation around how to stay safe in avalanche terrain, we can prevent future incidents like what we saw in our mountains last season. While we see our efforts thus far as an important first step, we know more work is needed. We plan to roll out a new website this year with an improved user interface for a more seamless observation submitting process and better viewing. Thanks in part to a grant from the Adirondack Community Recreation Alliance and the Northern Forest Center, we will coordinate two events to raise awareness of avalanche hazards in the High Peaks and give folks an opportunity to improve their rescue skills. Planning is ongoing, but these events will take place this winter, the first of which will be a free early season Avalanche Awareness presentation from an experienced avalanche educator December 10th in Lake Placid. We hope that the Adirondack Community Avalanche Project will create a more open and visible conversa- tion about avalanche hazards in the High Peaks. We will continue to build partnerships with like-minded organizations and agencies so that we can collectively aid the public in mitigating the risks associated with traveling in avalanche terrain. Together we can foster the growth of an informed backcountry community prepared to manage hazards in the mountains, and help one another mitigate those inherent risks. "With the increase of folks entering avalanche terrain, we might expect to see increased instances of human triggered av- alanches." This is one such human triggered avalanche reported within the first year of launching the Adirondack Community Avalanche Project. Nate Trachte Photo

• Cover