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AN extreme skier has been killed after falling 700 metres down an icy slope near the summit of Mount Feathertop.
Dr Graeme Nelson, 56, of Eden, in NSW, was downhill skiing with two friends when he fell at the top of Avalanche Gully, about 150 metres from the summit of Victoria’s second highest mountain, about 1.30pm yesterday.
The Border Mail
The police Air Wing recovered his body about 6pm and members of the search and rescue squad will return to the mountain this morning to examine the scene.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said an off-duty ski patroller was the first on the scene but was unable to find a pulse.
“The air ambulance confirmed the man was dead about 2.30pm,” he said.
The backcountry slope is near the Mount Hotham ski resort but well outside its ski boundary.
Bright Police Sen-Sgt Doug Incoll said it was well-known to extreme skiers.
“It is a known place to ski but it is for highly experienced skiers only,” he said.
“It is known for extreme skiing but is not overly popular.
“It is a south-east facing slope, very steep and known to get icy even when we have this mild weather.”
It is believed the man and his companions had been staying at Federation Hut on the Razorback Ridge walking track to Mount Feathertop where Labor politician and then Victorian minister Tim Holding became lost almost two years ago to the day.
Several ski and snowboard websites preach of the danger of Avalanche Gully.
“The most serious terrain is here, with the biggest cornice, very steep, narrow chutes and cliffs. Be very careful,” one person wrote.
Another said it was not a good idea to ski the area in the afternoon.
“The sun goes off this slope early so it can freeze, making the hike out dangerous.
“I speak from experience after doing one too many runs skiing the Razorback.
“As soon as the sun left the slope, it froze up, making it impossible to dig my boots more than a few centimetres into the snow.”
