GORHAM, N.H. — A skier who was buried in snow for about 6 1/2 minutes after getting caught in an avalanche in New Hampshire's White Mountains this week was dug out by a companion and survived uninjured, authorities said.
Three skiers originally ascended what's known as Wildcat-B/Carter Notch on Wednesday morning, according to a release from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, but one turned back after deciding that the conditions were too risky.
Jeff Fongemie, the interim director of the avalanche center, described them Friday as “experienced backcountry skiers," who were equipped with beacons, shovels, and probes.
One of the two remaining skiers began descending and unintentionally triggered an avalanche. That person was swept 500 vertical feet (152 meters) down a narrow gully before coming to rest buried and unable to move anything, except for one hand, according to the avalanche center, a division of the U.S. Forest Service.
The person was “critically buried,” meaning there was the possibility of a blocked airway and was life-threatening, Fongemie said.
The other skier began a search with an avalanche beacon, but could not find a signal. That person then saw a hand sticking out of the snow and started digging, successfully extracting the buried skier and freeing their airway after about 6 1/2 minutes, the center said.
The freed skier was conscious and unhurt and the pair left the area on their own. They self-reported the incident to the center, Fongemie said.
The avalanche center said it does not release names.
“We encourage people in these types of situations to reach out to report avalanches to us because they can be a tremendously helpful way to inform other skiers,” Fongemie said.
