Search-and-rescue volunteer killed in avalanche remembered as 'dedicated, joyful' environmentalist

A search-and-rescue volunteer who died in an avalanche in B.C.'s backcountry last week is being remembered by friends, family and colleagues as a "dedicated, joyful" environmentalist who loved the outdoors.

Tenne Bird Andersen was one of two backcountry skiiers swept up in an avalanche on Potato Peak in the Chilcotin region of the province on Feb. 11. 

Her teammates with Cariboo Search and Rescue recovered her body.

"The loss has been devastating beyond words for our team," said spokesperson Debra Bortolussi.

"We just would really like to say that our member who we lost was a very kind, loving and bright soul with a huge love for the outdoors who's going to be deeply missed by friends, family and the entire community."

The loss has prompted an emotional plea from the 15-member team about this season's dangerous avalanche conditions, which have claimed nine lives across B.C. in less than two months — including seasoned, trained adventurers like Andersen.

"There's huge risk and even risk that people think they can be prepared for or have safety parameters for ... that just doesn't exist this year. This year, that risk is true and it is there," Bortolussi said.

Andersen and a friend were skiing near the east-facing slope of Potato Peak, southwest of Williams Lake. The search-and-rescue team started looking for the pair after they were reported overdue.

Bortolussi said Andersen had taken the Avalanche Skills Training 2 (AST2) course, designed for the serious and experienced winter backcountry users. Both skiiers were carrying avalanche beacons and other safety gear.

The slope wasn't particularly steep, Bortolussi said — underscoring how widespread the risk has been this year.

"It was said that by one of our members that if you looked at it, you wouldn't have thought that it would be capable of creating an avalanche that had such dire consequences and resulted in the double fatality," she said.

WATCH | Experts offer safety training as forecasters predict a severe avalanche season in B.C.

Avalanche Canada said the deadly slide happened in "very remote and rugged terrain" outside of its forecasting area. 

"There were a couple of factors that we saw from the avalanche," said senior forecaster Simon Horton.