Skier killed on Mount Temple, near Lake Louise
Mounties say a Saskatchewan man was killed Friday on Mount Temple, the highest peak in the Lake Louise, Alta., area.
In an initial report provided to Avalanche Canada by Parks Canada, it was reported the skier was hit by a sluff — a small release of loose snow — from a rock face and knocked off his feet while climbing up the mountain.
The two other members of his party descended safely to find their friend dead from injuries sustained in the fall.
Avalanche Canada has removed the report after an update from Parks Canada, reclassifying this incident as an "unwitnessed fall, rather than an avalanche accident."
According to a Saturday statement from Lake Louise RCMP, they received a report that a backcountry skier had fallen at 4:35 p.m. MT Friday.
Parks Canada visitor safety and emergency crews responded to the call and found a man who appeared to have died from falling while climbing the Aemmer Couloir, a steep skiing line on the north face of Mount Temple.
The survivors were evacuated by helicopter. The deceased was picked up using a sling in the final minutes of daylight.
The deceased was identified as a 32-year-old Saskatchewan resident. Next of kin were notified, the RCMP statement said.
Foul play is not suspected in the incident.
Parks Canada officials didn't respond to an interview request as of Saturday evening.
