Backcountry enthusiasts are being warned to tread carefully the day after two deadly avalanches in B.C. The first slide hit Monday evening near Blue River, about 200 kilometres north of Kamloops, where an experienced group of seven people were out snowmobiling. “There was an avalanche that occurred that involved two of the members,” said Alan Hobler of Kamloops Search and Rescue. “Three stayed on scene and continued looking for them and two went out for help.” The group was carrying rescue equipment, and managed to locate and dig out both victims. Unfortunately, attempts at CPR were unsuccessful, and the survivors had to leave the slide area due to dark and unsafe conditions. The victims’ names haven’t been released, but the RCMP confirmed both are from Alberta. Another avalanche left a snowmobiler partially buried on Monday night near Castlegar, in the West Kootenay region. His identity hasn’t been released either, but Mounties said he’s a 45-year-old man and his next of kin has been notified. All three bodies were recovered on Tuesday. Thirteen people have now died in avalanches in Western Canada so far this season. Monday’s deaths came one day after Avalanche Canada official Joe Lammers urged backcountry skiers and sledders to take special care because March is statistically the most deadly month for avalanches. With files from The Canadian Press
