Avalanche Forecaster Dies After Triggering Avalanche During Ski Trip

An experienced avalanche forecaster died last Wednesday after he triggered an avalanche whilst skiing on Gunsight Mountain near Oregon’s Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. Nick Burks, 37, was on the slopes with a friend when the tragedy occurred. His companion, William Sterling Sloop, was uninjured in the episode. Both men had significant skiing experience and were carrying avalanche airbags and beacons with them.

According to a statement from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were summoned to the scene around 4:38 p.m. on March 6 with reports that two skiers had been buried. When they arrived on the scene, they found witnesses performing CPR on Burks, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

Investigators determined that, while Sloop and Burks were skiing, the latter triggered an avalanche which quickly enveloped him. Sloop headed down the slope before Burks, and was left to watch helplessly as his friend was buried beneath the snow. After the chaos, he found Burke near a tree and was able to pull him from the snow.

Witnesses saw the avalanche from within the lodge and immediately notified first responders. They rushed outside, providing life-saving measures to Burks, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the second skier reported buried is unclear.

At the time of his death, Burks was employed with the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), according to their statement. He had previously worked with snow safety patrols and as an avalanche forecaster. In the latter position, Burks analyzed mountain snow conditions and additional weather factors to determine avalanche risk.

“NWAC is heartbroken to report the death of our friend and colleague, Nick Burks,” the center wrote on Facebook. “We offer our deepest sympathies to our friends at WAC, and stand with everyone touched by this devastating event.”