A veteran avalanche forecaster was killed last week in an avalanche he triggered while backcountry skiing.
On Wednesday, 37-year-old Nick Burks was shooting on Gunsight Mountain near Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in Oregon when he triggered a deadly avalanche. This was announced by the Baker County Sheriff’s Office..
Burks and his friend, who was unharmed in the incident, are both experienced backcountry skiers and were carrying avalanche airbags and beacons.
Burks’ friend was the first to exit the chute and watched helplessly as the avalanche overtook him, the statement added.
The friend was then able to use a walkie-talkie to locate Burks near a tree.
A bystander at the ski lodge also witnessed the avalanche and contacted first responders. People at the scene performed CPR, but Burks could not be saved.
At the time of his death, Burks was working as an avalanche forecaster at the Wallowa Avalanche Center in northeastern Oregon. This was announced by the Northwest Avalanche Center..
He previously worked on the snow safety team at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area, he said.
“Our backcountry community is small and we understand the tremendous grief many are experiencing.” The Wallowa Avalanche Center said in a statement:.
The group added that a full-scale investigation into the incident will now take place.
