Fatality inquiry examines missteps before Canmore man's avalanche death
A public fatality inquiry is reviewing the chain of decisions that preceded a fatal avalanche near Canmore, hearing testimony from those involved in the outing.
Why it matters
The findings could shape future avalanche safety guidance for backcountry users in the Bow Valley and surrounding mountain areas.
A fatality inquiry underway in the Canmore area is examining the circumstances surrounding the avalanche death of a local man, with testimony focused on a series of small decisions made before the slide occurred.
Witnesses told the inquiry that expectations about conditions on the day of the outing did not match what was actually encountered on the terrain, with one witness stating, "We expected it to be different ... and we were wrong."
The inquiry is part of a formal process to establish the facts surrounding the death and to determine whether any recommendations can be made to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Further testimony is expected as the inquiry continues to piece together the timeline of decisions and conditions that led to the fatal avalanche.
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