Two hikers fall from Mount Roberts, one found dead
- Jasz Garrett
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Joint search and rescue effort uses drones to locate two cruise passengers; Troopers caution residents and visitors about Alaska's dangerous terrain
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
This story has been updated with additional information and to correct Pool's age, which Alaska State Troopers misreported.
A search and rescue for two adult cruise passengers who fell from the Mount Roberts Trail on Tuesday resulted in one man dead and his hiking partner suffering minor injuries, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers were notified at about 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday about the search and rescue. The hiker with minor injuries was assisted out of the steep terrain by Juneau Mountain Rescue volunteers. But 32-year-old Britian Pool, a Texas resident, had fallen further down the mountainside and died from his injuries. He was located by drones operated by Juneau Mountain Rescue, troopers, the Juneau Police Department and the Alaska Department of Transportation.
Troopers and Juneau Mountain Rescue volunteers recovered his body, which was transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office. Pool's family has been notified. Capital City Fire/Rescue and Southeast Alaska Dogs Organized for Ground Search also helped with search efforts.
Pool is the fifth person recorded by troopers to die in the backcountry of Juneau this summer and the second near the Goldbelt Tram. In July, a 62-year-old cruise passenger from Kentucky, Marites “Tess” Buenafe, was found dead below the ridge line of Gold Ridge near Mount Roberts.
Austin McDaniel, a trooper spokesperson, said it was dark and foggy when the search occurred. The ground was slippery on the Mount Roberts Trail. He said the Department of Public Safety's year-round message across the state is to be prepared for hiking in Alaska's backcountry. He said the troopers see similar fatal incidents like this every summer.
"Whether it's the glacier, whether it's Mount Roberts, you can get into some pretty technical backcountry areas very quickly right from the Juneau metro area," McDaniel said. "We definitely encourage folks to, if you're not inexperienced in the backcountry, specifically the backcountry in Alaska, to go with somebody that is. Consider going with a guide service or as part of a group that'll make sure you can stay safe, that knows the trail systems, knows how to keep folks on trails that are within their experience level."
He said safety advice for anyone in Alaska exploring the backcountry is to let someone know where they are going and to carry a communication device. He said it is advised to carry extra food, water and clothing even if it is a day trip.
"As we see so often across the state, a simple day trip into the backcountry can turn deadly with one wrong step," McDaniel said.
He said that with the Mendenhall Glacier and the tram, the technical backcountry becomes easily accessible, but within minutes of every major tourist area in the entire state, Alaska can be a dangerous place for outdoor recreation. McDaniel also noted differences between Alaska's backcountry and hiking in the Lower 48, emphasizing that in Alaska, advanced skill sets and technical expertise are needed.
He said his safety advice is not just for exploring Juneau's backcountry, but applies across the state — and the message is for everyone, especially visitors, to keep in mind.
"Know your experience level and don't underestimate Alaska's backcountry," McDaniel said.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.
