The Rockies hiking community is mourning the loss of two of its members today.
Calgary’s Jutta Hinrichs, 70 years old, a member of the hiking group Slow and Steady Hikers, was killed after a rockfall event rained down from the alpine near Bow Lake, in Banff National Park.
“Jutta was a kind, compassionate, and deeply nurturing clinical educator in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta,” her friend Masako Miyazaki posted on Facebook today (Friday, June 20). “Her loss is a profound one for our community.”
A second deceased individual was recovered today (Friday, June 20) according to RCMP. RCMP is notifying next of kin and no other information is available at this time.
At least three others were injured in the rockfall event, according to officials. Three individuals were transported to hospital by STARS and ground ambulance and were all in stable condition at last report.
On Thursday, June 19 at approximately 1 p.m., Parks Canada received a report of a rockfall event at Bow Glacier Falls, located on the west side of the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93N), 37 km north of Lake Louise.
One of the initial reports was sent via satellite messenger device from Calgary’s Kamala Dixon, who was also on the trail.
“As I turned right to take the up I heard a sound like I’ve never heard before,” Dixon posted on social media. “No one could have ever expected such devastation.”
Geotechnical assessments on the safety of the route will take place when assessors arrive, according to officials. Parks Canada visitor safety teams continued search operations until dark on Thursday and resumed their work this morning.
Canada Task Force Two (CAN-TF2), a national disaster response team based in Calgary, is conducting infrared flights in a continued effort to complete a thorough assessment.
“The safety of first responders and park visitors is our top priority,” Cpl Gina Slaney of the Alberta RCMP media group stated.
The Bow Lake area is closed to all visitors. A NOTAM (no-fly zone) is in place to ensure public safety and for park operations.
Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe, officials stated.
“Visitors staying at Bow Hut will be able to exit on schedule via the usual route, which is unaffected and safe to travel,” media personnel for Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit said.
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) remains open with potential intermittent, short-term traffic stoppages in the vicinity of the incident. Heavy precipitation, including snow, is expected on the Icefields Parkway today.
The RCMP reminds travellers to check the weather forecast and Alberta 511 before travelling.
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
