2 Climbers Trigger Avalanche At Tuckerman Ravine In NH, Officials Say
MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. (CBS) -- Two climbers who triggered an avalanche at Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington were rescued Sunday afternoon, officials say.
The avalanche occurred around 1 p.m. at a section of the ravine called "The Chute," officials say. Coincidentally, an avalanche class and four other skiers were nearby when the incident happened.
Officials say the climbers ascended several hundred feet through thick snow to a narrow part of the slope, and the lead climber decided it was time to turn around and head back due to the slope possibly being unstable.
When they went to descend, the slope fractured about 75-to-100 feet above them and the break was 75-to-100 feet wide, officials said. The climbers were carried most of the way down to the ravine floor.
A couple of the skiers were swept up in the avalanche and carried various distances, officials say, while one managed to avoid the debris.
Michael Houde, of Lorraine, Quebec, was not seriously hurt and was treated and released by Snow Ranger and Mount Washington Ski Patrol staff. One skier, Kal Huld, of Brunswick, Maine, also suffered similar injuries.
The second climber, who hasn't been identified, was helped by several avalanche classes in the area and he or she was taken to snowmobile to Gorham EMS waiting at Pinkham Notch, officials said. The extent of their injuries and condition are unknown.
No additional information was immediately available.