Man killed in avalanche south of Valemont
By Nelson Daily Staff
One man is dead after an avalanche was triggered Saturday afternoon at Goat Ridge in the Clemina Creek area situated approximately 30 kilometers south of Valemount off Highway 5.
Valemount RCMP received information Saturday (January 18) at 12:32 p.m. of several SPOT distress beacons, along with GPS coordinates, being activated in the Clemina Creek snowmobile area.
Search and Rescue teams from both Valemount and McBride were deployed immediately.
RCMP were advised that several snowmobilers were in the area at the time of the avalanche and confirmed that one person was found buried and confirmed deceased.
Avalanche technicians immediately deemed the area as high risk posing a danger to Emergency crews trying to enter the area.
Once deemed safe the BC Coroner Service will be entering the site to assist with recovering the body.
As there is no criminality involved the BC Coroners Service has taken jurisdiction of this fatal incident.
Valemount is located on the Yellowhead Highway 5, near the northern tip of Kinbasket Lake, 300 km south of Prince George, 320 km north of Kamloops, and 120 km west of Jasper.
Valemount is nestled between the Rocky Mountains, the Monashee Mountains and the Cariboo Mountains, at the foot of Canoe Mountain.
RCMP are warning the public that the area has been deemed a high risk for avalanches and any outdoor enthusiasts are asked to stay away from the area or visit the Canadian Avalanche Center website for any future updates.
