Ice climber swept away by avalanche when snow below him gives way, NH officials say
Two ice climbers were caught in an avalanche as they reached the start of their route, New Hampshire officials said.
A pair of climbers, a 31-year-old man and 36-year-old woman, made their way to the Black Dike climbing route in Franconia Notch State Park on Sunday, Feb. 16, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a news release.
When they reached the route’s base, however, “the snow gave away underneath them causing an avalanche,” officials said.
The man was left partially buried in snow after sliding about 300 feet and coming to a stop, officials said.
The woman was not hurt and called 911 shortly after noon, officials said.
As the woman was on the phone with dispatchers, she spotted “her friend waving downslope,” officials said.
She hiked down and helped him out of the snow, according to officials.
Though the man was injured, officials said the pair still made their way toward the trail.
Meanwhile, a conservation officer and Cannon Mountain Ski Patrol members used a snowmachine to drive members of the Pemi Search and Rescue Team to the pair, officials said.
Rescuers found the pair at about 1:45 p.m. and drove them to an awaiting ambulance, officials said.
The injured climber refused medical treatment, and his fellow climber drove him to a hospital, officials said.
Franconia Notch State Park is about an 80-mile drive north from Manchester.
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM with the headline "Ice climber swept away by avalanche when snow below him gives way, NH officials say."
