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AvalancheOutcome: FatalAvalanche

Avalanche — Mount Washington, Feb 20, 2000

·Mount Washington

David McPhedran, 42, of Kents Hill, ME; high school teacher and experienced backcountry skier · party of 2

On February 20, 2000, around 1 p.m., McPhedran and companion Aimee Reiter were climbing a gully in the Gulf of Slides on Mount Washington to ski it when an avalanche released above and swept them down. Reiter was buried to the waist, freed herself, and dug out McPhedran, who was buried face-down, but could not revive him. Another party reported the accident to an AMC visitor center.

What we can learn

The AMC avalanche hotline that morning warned of high avalanche danger; the death is a caution that avalanche conditions threaten even experienced backcountry skiers, and the Gulf of Slides is not covered by daily avalanche advisories.

Before you head out: check the forecast, carry the Ten Essentials, leave your plans with someone, and be willing to turn back. See current conditions for Mount Washington →

Other recorded incidents on Mount Washington

Part of the WMNF Hiker Incident Database. Every entry cites a primary or near-primary source; details are refined as the record is reviewed.