A Mt Washington avalanche on Friday buried a skier who was successfully rescued.

The skier was swept into and under the moving debris and lost skis and poles. It happened near the left gully of Tuckerman Ravine around 3 p.m. on Friday.

When the snow stopped he was buried face down. Fortunately his head was very near the surface. But the rest of his body was buried by two feet or more of debris. He was unable to move but could raise his head for a breath.

Another skier who was with the man did not see him get buried and skied away. That second skier eventually alerted others. Hermit Lake and Harvard Cabin caretakers, along with snow rangers, helped dig him out safely.

The man who was buried and the friend he was skiing with did not have avalanche beacons, probes or shovels. Experts say this gear is highly recommended for anyone skiing or hiking in the area.

An avalanche warning was expected to remain in place on Mt. Washington until Sunday.