*** French-Canadian Hiker Killed in Avalanche ***

Fri Jan 12 02:30:21 1996
Message : #37460583    From: Michael DellOrfano
Address : Michael_DellOrfano@bcsmac.org
Subject : Mt Washington Avalanche
Copied from "Views From The Top" Web page at:
http://www.iii.net/users/lexi/whites/index.html

Four French-Canadian hikers were caught in an avalanche in Tuckerman Ravine
on Mt. Washington. One of the hikers, 19 year old Alexandre Cassan, was
killed. The hikers were on the closed winter Lion Head trail. Wash-outs on
the trail during the late fall promted the National Forest Service to close
the trail due to the resulting extreme avalanche hazard. The hikers went
past several signs alerting them to the trail closure, the dangers present,
and directions to the newly cut alternate route. The hikers also reportedly
continued on after an AMC worker told them to go back and use the new
trail. In a furthur display of ignorance, the 3 surviving hikers went to
get help after the avalanche instead of searching for Cassan immediately.
When a ranger returned to the scene of the accident, he quickly found
Cassen's body: a hand was sticking up through the snow. Had the surviving
hikers searched instead of going for help, Cassen probably would have
lived.

- Avalanche Danger is Extreme

The avalanche danger in Tuckermans and Huntington Ravines and along the
summer Lion's Head trail is considered extreme due to recent heavy snows.
Avalanches on steep slopes are probable. Travel in these areas is very
dangerous.

- New Lion's Head Winter Trail

The NEW Lion's Head Winter Route is now open. It is located about 50'
beyond the jct. of the Raymond Path and the Huntington Ravine Winter
Snowcat Trail. The Snowcat Trail begins 1.7 miles up the Tuckerman Ravine
Trail from Pinkham Notch. The Lion's Head Winter Trail joins the Lion's
Head Trail at treeline. This new winter route has orange signs with black
letters and is blazed with red reflectors and blue squares. The Winter
Trail offers the safest route to avoid avalanche paths in the Lion's Head
area. The Lion's Head Winter Trail is very steep. Hikers need to have good
mountaineering skills. Ice axe and crampons are strongly recommended.

(Michael DellOrfano)

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