Backcountry skier fully buried in avalanche

A backcountry skier is OK after getting caught in an avalanche Saturday in the Noisy Basin area of the Swan Mountains.

According to the Flathead Avalanche Center, the skier triggered the slide south of the Picnic Notch area. The skier was totally buried except for one arm and was able to extricate himself. He was not injured.

The skier triggered the slide while climbing up the slope after skiing down with his partner. He was carried about 200 feet and came to rest near a tree. His partner was not caught in the slide.

It is estimated the soft slab avalanche was 200 feet across and about 12 inches deep. Debris ran approximately 500 vertical feet.

The avalanche danger over the weekend was rated as considerable on wind-loaded slopes steeper and 30 degrees where natural avalanches were possible and human-triggered slides were likely.

“This incident is a great reminder that while some aspects and locations are exhibiting few signs of instability, others can be very sensitive,” the FAC noted in its Sunday advisory.

A full report on the incident will be posted Monday. Click here for the initial report.