Date: Fri, 05 Jan 1996 10:54:51 +0000
From: Bruce Bowler <bruce_bowler@jhqmac.dot.state.ak.us>

On 2-24-95 41 year old Alex Iliev died in an avalanche occuring on 
Douglas Island, Juneau, Alaska.  Iliev was cross-country skiing just 
below a ridge on Mt. Troy when he apparently triggered the avalanche 
which killed him.  Ski tracks at the scene indicate Iliev was near 
the crown of the avalanche, at about 2800 feet elevation, when a 
large slab broke loose.  The avalanche carried him down to the 1200 
foot level.  

During the avalanche, one of Iliev's skis came off, but the left one 
remained on.  This caused a massive fracture/trauma injury to the 
femur of the left leg.  This injury alone would probably have been 
fatal.  

Iliev also sustained other fractures and internal injuries.  After a 
search lasting one night and one day, searchers found Iliev's body 
under about six inches of snow, at the lower left edge of the 
avalanche run-out zone.  Only a portion of Iliev's right glove was 
above the snow to indicate his presence.

Alex Iliev was an extremely active and experienced skier.  At the 
time of his death he was working for the US Weather Service in 
Juneau.  He had worked for several years as a professional ski 
patroller and avalanche officer at a Washington ski resort.  He is 
survived by his wife and a baby boy who was born several months 
after his death. 

Trooper Chuck Lamica, Alaska State Troopers, Juneau