Subscribe via RSS Feed Connect on Instagram

Early Season Backcountry Skier Death

Filed in Harvey Pass, Ski Touring, Thunder Meadows, Tunnel Creek by on October 21, 2020 • views: 3587

Konan Wendt, of Invermere, was out skiing for the day with three friends on Monday when tragedy struck on Robertson Glacier, Kananaskis Country. Robertson Glacier is a popular early season destination for backcountry skiers that is comparable in early season traffic to Fernie’s Harvey Pass.

Wendt suffered a serious head injury when pitched forward into the low early season snow coverage and related rocky hazards on low angle ski terrain.

Patrick Skelton said his friend had suffered a traumatic brain injury. “He passed in my arms … his helmet was in his backpack,” Patrick Skelton wrote on a Facebook post.

“He was thrown forward into rocky terrain and suffered quite a bit of trauma from that,” said Jeremy Mackenzie, a public safety specialist and team leader for the Kananaskis region. “We don’t know the exact nature of the injuries… a helmet would have certainly helped prevent some of the injuries, but of course we’ll never know if it would have prevented everything.”

The Kananaskis Country Public Safety Section of Alberta Parks reported the early season fatality on Robertson Glacier today on Facebook. Here is the Kananaskis Country Public Safety Section of Alberta Park report:

“On Monday October 19th near the Robertson glacier there was a fatality involving a backcountry skier. Kananaskis Public Safety and Alpine Helicopters responded to the incident around 1430 hr.

The incident happened due to the low early season snow coverage and related hazards in very low angle ski terrain wherein his skis bottomed out, and he pitched forward into a rocky area suffering severe trauma. The subject was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. This was not an avalanche incident.

10-30 cm of snow currently exists at treeline and this does not cover the rocks or any of the ground debris, if you do fall in these areas you will likely get hurt. The chance of hitting something and getting injured is quite high. The days are getting shorter so be aware of darkness setting in. Once its dark, any evacuation is more complicated.

While in the field yesterday forecasters witnessed many loose dry avalanches off steep terrain not running very far but still active, Alpine terrain was getting affected by winds so we suspect slab development to be ongoing in these areas. Consequences of being caught in even a small slid would result in injury due to the lack of snow and the chance of a ride over rocky terrain.

Our condolences go out to those involved, Kananaskis Public Safety Team”

Skelton said everyone in the group on Monday had avalanche training, mountaineering experience, wilderness First Aid training, carried medical supplies, emergency supplies, radios, and an inReach device.

He implored backcountry enthusiasts to be careful this winter.

“Wear your helmet. Take an avalanche course. Carry emergency supplies. Take a first aid course,” Skelton said.

“I lost not just a friend, but a man that changed my life and made me a better person.”

According to KPS, 10-30 cm of snow currently exists at tree-line, which doesn’t fully cover rocks or any of the ground debris.

Mackenzie said if you do fall in these areas, you will likely get hurt, noting the chance of hitting something and getting injured is quite high.

“It’s early season and because the snow does not have much structure or much depth, you’re going to be penetrating with skis or feet into rocks and grass and logs below,” said Mackenzie.

Early season hazards are very real, please be safe out there.

Tags: ,

About the Author ()

Comments are closed.

Related Stories

How and when to Book the Cabins

How and when to book the Cabins are frequent questions and this post is intended as an overview to assist you. Thunder Meadows and Tunnel Creek cabins are bookable as a whole cabin only online for overnight stays by members. This is not exclusive as the cabins are also available for day use. Day use […]

Cabins Open with Tunnel Creek Rebuild

The Thunder Meadows and Tunnel Creek Cabins opened today for overnight stays for the season! Current bookings are up to January 31 and February to April will be available for online booking on January 15 @ 6am. Harvey Pass is a warming hut for day use only and is a popular day ski and snowmobile […]

Grizzly Hibernating in Thunder Meadows Cabin

Fortunately this is a ploy to get your attention however it could be a reality. Yesterday during a wood delivery to Thunder Meadows we found the cabin and toilet doors open with snow blowing in. Fortunately we visited before the structures filled with snow and/or had a grizzly move it. Please latch the doors and […]

TUNNEL CREEK PARKING ADVISORY – Updated

The RCMP caught the scumbag! It’s unfortunate to report that the Tunnel Creek parking lot has been subject to fuel theft. Even worse, the culprits are drilling fuel tanks causing expensive damage to vehicles. At this time we suspect it’s happening late at night however it’s not confirmed. PLEASE report any suspicious activity to the […]

Tunnel Creek Renovations Planned for 2022

The FTSTC is planning for Tunnel Creek renovations the summer of 2022. The plan is to replace the existing Tunnel Creek bunk house with a superior structure that matches the existing day use structure. This renovation on the hut would increase the quality of overnight stays and improve the day use experience. The footing and […]

Harvey Pass Hut is Completed

We’re extremely pleased to announce that the Harvey Pass Hut, warming and emergency shelter, has been completed and is open to the public. This time we hope it’s fire proof! This is the 6th cabin at Harvey Pass and yes, the previous five were destroyed by fire. The last cabin burnt in 2017 when a […]

Harvey Hut Work Party

We are looking for volunteers to help complete the Harvey Pass warming hut for the coming snow season! Harvey Pass has lost three previous cabins to fire, the last cabin burnt prior to being completed. This build is using a sea can to ensure its survival! The Harvey Hut is an official BC Recreation site, […]

Harvey Hut Rebuild Funding needs your comments

The FT&STC has a CBT funding application submitted to support the rebuild of the Harvey Pass warming hut. We will be placing a refurbished sea can at the most recent hut site with a wood stove, benches and a compostable toilet. With the growth of backcountry activity and the isolation of Harvey Pass, a warming […]

Fernie Trails Winter & Summer 2019

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club is pleased to announce the new Fernie Trails Winter & Summer 2019 membership. This membership includes Montane 4-season access, winter grooming, cabin access, summer trails and a FTA trail supporter pass. The “Fernie Trails Winter & Summer 2019” membership is available here for Winter & Summer 2019 $40/individuals […]

Harvey Hut “Cheers to Charity!”

The Harvey Hut rebuild project has been chosen to participate in Fernie Brewing’s “Cheers to Charity!” donation program. Harvey Hut burnt last September in BC’s worst fire season ever. Over $20,000 in supplies and thousands of volunteer hours were lost in the fire. From Friday February 16th until Saturday March 15th, all “Cheers to Charity!” […]

Harvey Hut Succumbs to Fire

The nearly completed Harvey Hut BC Recreation site was tragically lost in a wildfire that started in the Lodgepole and quickly spread across the landscape. Now at nearly 2000 hectares, this fast moving wildfire was fueled by erratic winds over the weekend that unexpectedly moved the fire towards the hut in the overnight hours. It […]

Fernie Backcountry is closed

All hiking and biking trails in Fernie and surrounding area are closed. This included our cabins; Thunder Meadows, Montane and Tunnel Creek. Unfortunately our Harvey Hut burnt in the out-of-control Lodgepole fire on the weekend. In the interest of public safety, effective at noon Pacific Time on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, all Crown land within […]

Fire Ban at Cabins

The FT&STC has banned all fires at the Thunder Meadows, Montane Hut, and Tunnel Creek cabins until further notice. This ban applies to all fires including the wood stoves. The official fire ban issued from BC Wildfire is as follows: Campfire Ban in Place for Entire East Kootenay The entire East Kootenay is under a […]

Ghostrider Motorsports Supports Harvey Hut

Ghostrider Motorsports contributed $1000 to the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club for the Harvey Pass Warming Hut project. The Harvey Pass Warming Hut is another great resource for backcountry users in the Elk Valley. The Harvey area has been a popular backcountry snowmobiling and skiing destination for decades and this new BC Recreation facility […]

FSA donates to Harvey Pass Warming Hut

The Fernie Snowmobile Association has donated $5000 to to the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club to help complete the Harvey Pass Warming Hut. Dave Hozjan (right to left) was pleased to present a cheque to Ian Stokie and Ryland Nelson of the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club. The FSA will provide half the […]

Canadian Tire supports Harvey Pass Hut

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club is constructing a warming hut in Harvey Pass. This authorized BC Recreation Site will be open to all users. Last week the local Canadian Tire store donated $2500 towards the Harvey Pass project. A huge thanks to Canadian Tire owner Angus McDonald for supporting this official BC Recreation […]

Harvey Hut Work Party

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club needs all hands on deck for a BIG concrete pour and clean up this weekend, September 17 and 18th, for the new Harvey Hut. The site has been cleared, the hut laid out and excavated nine footing holes. Now we need your help to mix concrete on site […]

Harvey Pass Warming Hut Draft Plans

Plans to build a new warming hut at Harvey Pass for the 2016-17 winter season are moving ahead quickly. The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club worked to secure official BC government recreation site status and approval to build the Harvey Pass Warming Hut. Everything is in place to move forward with immediate construction of […]

Harvey Pass Warming Hut

The Harvey Pass area south of Fernie has long been a popular backcountry ski destination.  With popular runs such as Curve Ball, Wild Thing, Romi’s Midnight Run and Next of Kin all accessed from the high mountain forestry road pass. Being so remote (over 40 km on forestry roads from Fernie) backcountry recreationists of all […]