Two ice climbers had to be rescued after getting stuck in an avalanche on a New Hampshire mountain Sunday, authorities said. New Hampshire Fish and Game said they got a call around noon for two climbers who were trapped in an avalanche off Cannon Cliffs in Franconia State Park. Authorities said the two people began their hike around 8 a.m. Sunday and were planning on ice climbing the Black Dike route. Fish and Game said once the two climbers reached the base of the Black Dike route several hours later, the snowpack gave way, causing an avalanche.Authorities said one climber slid about 300 feet before he came to a stop and became partially buried. Fish and Game said he suffered injuries as a result of the avalanche.”When they got up to the base of the cliff, it was kind of all snow piled up there. It was human triggered basically right at the base of the wall where they were all snow piled up. And it just like went up 300ft or more, and one of them got basically sucked the entire length down,” said Conservation Officer Chris McKee.The other climber was engulfed in snow but was able to get herself out safely and called 911 after spotting the other climber down below. After both climbers managed to free themselves from the deep snow, they were able to make their way back to the trail, according to Fish and Game.Authorities said rescuers were able to find the two climbers around 1:45 p.m. They were brought to Lafayette Campground in Lincoln by ATVs.One of the climbers was taken to the hospital by the other climber involved in the avalanche. The extent of their injuries is unknown. Fish and Game said the two climbers were well-equipped, and they believe Sunday’s storm was a factor for contributing to the avalanche.
Two ice climbers had to be rescued after getting stuck in an avalanche on a New Hampshire mountain Sunday, authorities said.
New Hampshire Fish and Game said they got a call around noon for two climbers who were trapped in an avalanche off Cannon Cliffs in Franconia State Park. Authorities said the two people began their hike around 8 a.m. Sunday and were planning on ice climbing the Black Dike route.
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Fish and Game said once the two climbers reached the base of the Black Dike route several hours later, the snowpack gave way, causing an avalanche.
Authorities said one climber slid about 300 feet before he came to a stop and became partially buried. Fish and Game said he suffered injuries as a result of the avalanche.
“When they got up to the base of the cliff, it was kind of all snow piled up there. It was human triggered basically right at the base of the wall where they were all snow piled up. And it just like went up 300ft or more, and one of them got basically sucked the entire length down,” said Conservation Officer Chris McKee.
The other climber was engulfed in snow but was able to get herself out safely and called 911 after spotting the other climber down below. After both climbers managed to free themselves from the deep snow, they were able to make their way back to the trail, according to Fish and Game.
Authorities said rescuers were able to find the two climbers around 1:45 p.m. They were brought to Lafayette Campground in Lincoln by ATVs.
One of the climbers was taken to the hospital by the other climber involved in the avalanche. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
Fish and Game said the two climbers were well-equipped, and they believe Sunday’s storm was a factor for contributing to the avalanche.
