Science Seminar: Earth Science

Avalanche Canada is conducting a number of safe snowmobile practice presentations throughout B.C.'s Interior using information gathered from the aftermath of the Jan. 2016 avalanche that killed five snowmobilers.

Search and rescue manager Rod Whelpton had been snowmobiling in the area at the time. His snowmobile broke down and he called for a helicopter, Cpl. John Grierson said.

Other members of Whelpton's group went to a ridge nearby and saw that an avalanche had just occurred. A satellite phone was used to call Dale Mason, manager of Robson Valley Search and Rescue.

RCMP say they were notified of two separate GPS beacon activations in the Renshaw area east of McBride around 1:30 p.m. PT, at which point they activated the Robson Valley Search and Rescue Team.

While avalanches are sudden, the warning signs are almost always numerous before they let loose.

Yet in 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim's party. Avalanches kill more than 150 people worldwide each year.