Skier's rescue from B.C. mountain highlights dangers of backcountry, tree wells

A backcountry skier's fall into a hidden tree well ended happily Tuesday, but a search and rescue expert says it's a warning to others.

Terrace Search and Rescue, in a statement, said its crews were called at around 3:20 p.m. PT to the backcountry of Shames Mountain, west of Terrace.

Two local men, approximately in their early 40s, were skiing when one of them went missing for over two hours. His partner skied up and down the mountain looking for him, and on his third pass, found him in a tree well, buried and suspended upside down.

He was injured, hypothermic and unable to move but fortunately had carved out an air pocket so he could breathe.

The uninjured skier called search and rescue which led to an arduous rescue operation.

'Just horrendous'

According to search manager Dave Jephson, the original plan was for the two men to wait on the mountain until morning for a helicopter rescue. However, the fallen skier's injuries spurred crews to jump into action immediately, despite fading light.

The SAR team also had to contend with fresh snow and the remoteness of the tree well, which required them to travel up and down mountains covering hundreds of metres of elevation.

"Just horrendous," Jephson told Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk. "It was pounding with snow, way over four or five feet of fresh snow."

The two men, fortunately, were able to meet crews part of the way and the SAR team had them off the mountain by 9 p.m. and the man was taken to hospital.

Highlights dangers

Tree wells are a common danger on mountains following snowfalls. They form underneath the branches of trees and create deep, hidden pits that skiers can fall into.

Jephson said this story highlights the dangers of tree wells — and the hazards of backcountry skiing in general.

"Skiing in the backcountry is not a bad thing," he said. "We have awesome people around here but they're prepared."

He has some advice for skiers: don't ski beyond your capabilities; don't ski where you're not qualified to ski; if you're a first-timer in the backcountry, go with someone more experienced; and always bring appropriate supplies.

Jephson said the injured man has been released from hospital and was resting at home as of Wednesday afternoon.

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With files from CBC Radio One's Daybreak North