Last weekend, a man from New Hampshire experienced a severe skiing accident on Mount Washington. While skiing in the "Airplane Gully" area, he unintentionally caused a 15-foot-wide avalanche. This dramatic incident, captured by two cameras, vividly illustrates both the cause of the avalanche and the skier's harrowing ordeal.

The skier, Dominick Torro, was unfortunately caught in the avalanche he triggered. He fell approximately 500 feet, unintentionally setting off smaller avalanches in the process. This fall led to a serious injury: an open fracture of his tibia and fibula, attributed to his ski binding not releasing during the fall.

In the aftermath, Torro's friend and another solo skier who was on the slopes quickly came to his aid. They provided first aid, managing to stop the severe bleeding and keep him warm. They alerted rescue services using an InReach device.

The Mount Washington Avalanche Center (MWAC) later shared the footage of this incident expressing gratitude to the skiers for their willingness to share their experience for educational purposes. The Center also highlighted the importance of avalanche safety awareness.

About four hours after the incident, Torro was airlifted to a hospital by a New Hampshire Army National Helicopter. The MWAC noted the critical role played by the two skiers who provided immediate aid, acknowledging their crucial contribution to the successful rescue effort.

In its report, the MWAC described the snowpack conditions on that day as thin, disconnected, and typical for the season, with a warming trend possibly increasing the risk of avalanches. Prior to the incident, Torro and his colleague had conducted column tests in the area and, after observing another skier navigate the terrain successfully, deemed it safe to proceed. The MWAC's report suggests that the incident was a result of bad luck rather than recklessness, highlighting the unpredictable nature of mountain environments and the importance of preparedness and quick response in emergency situations.

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