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AvalancheOutcome: FatalAvalanche

Avalanche — Mount Washington, Feb 1, 2021

·Mount Washington·Ammonoosuc Ravine

Ian Forgays, 54, of Lincoln, Vermont (very experienced backcountry skier)

Forgays was skiing alone in Ammonoosuc Ravine on the western side of Mt. Washington when an avalanche took his life — the first avalanche fatality recorded on that side of the mountain. Conditions were single-digit temperatures with about 33 mph winds, and the avalanche danger had been rated 'low,' though isolated unstable wind-drifted snow remained possible.

What we can learn

The account stresses that 'low' hazard does not mean 'no' hazard and that isolated areas of unstable snow can exist even on low-danger days.

Contributing factors

Solo
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 →

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.