Authorities reported that A 20-year-old backcountry skier died after falling 600 feet down a ravine on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. over the weekend, while two other people were rescued from the area.
Saturday, Madison Saltsburg fell approximately 600 vertical feet down Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington and suffered fatal traumatic injuries during the fall, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release issued Sunday and cited by ABC News.
Responding Mount Washington Avalanche Center (MWAC) officials said they worked to evacuate Saltsburg from the mountain.
The team also responded to two other skiers who suffered traumatic injuries from rocks and ice as they fell through the surface of firm, icy snow, according to the statement.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Mt. Washingtonpredicting up to 1 foot of heavy, wet snow and strong winds.
“Throughout the year, this very steep ski mountaineering terrain, and other areas around Mount Washington, are subject to constantly changing mountain hazards,” the U.S. Forest Service said.
“These commonly include avalanches, open crevasses, icy slopes, and rock and ice falls,” the agency added.
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern United States.
In January, Colorado doctor killed in avalanche while snowboarding in backcountrybeing the first avalanche victim recorded in the state during the season.
Peter Harrelson, a 67-year-old doctor and long-time resident of Ophir, had set out around noon on a trip to the countryside in the Waterfall Creek area south of his hometown near Tellurideaccording to a release from the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.
Harrelson’s body was discovered with traumatic injuries which are believed to have been caused by being swept away by an avalanche.
“On behalf of all of us at the Sheriff’s Office and our search and rescue team, I would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of this gentleman,” said Sheriff Bill Masters.
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