Snowboarder killed in avalanche on Mount St. Helens
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man has died after an avalanche on Mount St. Helens Saturday, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.
The man was climbing a peak while snowboarding and, while standing near the top, reportedly triggered a cornice (an overhanging edge of snow on a ridge) and fell to his death.
In light of this, NWAC is cautioning any snowboarders, skiers, hikers or anyone planning to go snowshoeing that large cornices still overhang on many steep mountain slopes. Additionally, they often collapse much farther back along ridges than expected.
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During these warm, sunny periods, they can become weaker and easier to trigger, they added.
NWAC staff and Skamania County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue are investigating the incident.
No other information, including the identity of the victim, has been released at this time.
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