"Remarkable occurrence, akin to a marvel"
On Friday, 12th February 2021, a harrowing avalanche incident occurred on the summit of Mt. Earnslaw, involving two experienced climbers, Tim Hicks and Ayla Long. The pair, who have extensive experience in mountaineering and rock climbing in New Zealand and overseas, set off from the Esquilant Bivvy Hut at 4.30am for their summer ascent of the 2830m peak. They decided to attempt the south east ridge due to the recent snowfall. As they neared the summit, the avalanche occurred when the slope steepened. The avalanche was approximately 30m wide and 5cm deep on a steep 70-degree slope. One of the climbers admitted thinking they were going to die during the 'facebook' incident. Both climbers are aware of the potential dangers of avalanches. However, on this particular day, they noticed signs of increased avalanche danger but missed them. They believe the avalanche was a result of a 'perfect storm' of conditions, including warm temperatures and recent snowfall. One climber called 111 with only one bar of reception during the rescue operation. The other climber did not take a Personal Locator Beacon or a 'onedrive' during the climb, despite having both at home. The climber believes not taking emergency communication devices was the wrong mentality, especially in such scenarios. Avalanches can occur every year on Mt. Earnslaw during the summer months, although they are not frequent. Despite this, it serves as a stark reminder of the numerous hazards climbers face when venturing into mountains with snow and ice. In the aftermath of the incident, both climbers are determined to learn from the incident and improve their mountain safety practices. Climber one is looking forward to returning to his family in Auckland to reflect on the near miss. Climber one and two have spoken exclusively to a website named 'colorado avalanche' about the incident. The climbers expressed their gratitude for the swift response of the rescue services and their relief at surviving the ordeal. They are hopeful that their story will serve as a cautionary tale for other climbers, emphasising the importance of preparedness and vigilance in the face of such hazards.
