A tragic incident occurred on Mount Washington in New Hampshire over the weekend, as a backcountry skier fell nearly 600 feet down an icy ravine, resulting in her death. The skier, identified as 20-year-old Madison Saltsburg, was part of a group of three individuals attempting to navigate the treacherous conditions of Tuckerman Ravine. The US Forest Service reported that the group faced hard, icy snow surfaces, open crevasse holes, and unforgiving conditions for slipping and falling.

In addition to Saltsburg's fatal fall, two other skiers sustained serious injuries from rocks and ice throughout the day. The US Forest Service and Mount Washington Avalanche Center conducted a rescue effort to evacuate the injured individuals off the mountain. Colleen Mainville, a public affairs specialist with the US Forest Service, described the conditions as dangerously icy and stated that rescuers spent the night on the mountain trying to assist the injured skiers.

The incident occurred during an icy storm on Mount Washington, known for its extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain. The mountain had been under a winter storm warning predicting heavy snow and fast-moving winds. Just the night before, another hiker had to be rescued after sliding into the Ammonoosuc Ravine and becoming hypothermic.

The Appalachian Mountain Club, which operates huts on Mount Washington, describes Tuckerman Ravine as "the birthplace of extreme skiing in the US." The Forest Service warns that traveling in avalanche terrain requires careful use of mountaineering tools and equipment, which was not confirmed whether the skiers had at the time of the incident. The tragic events on Mount Washington serve as a reminder of the dangers of backcountry skiing and the importance of being prepared for the unpredictable conditions of the mountain.