Tragedy in Japan: New Zealanders Killed in Avalanche on Mt. Yotei

Two New Zealand nationals, Joshua Sellens and Isabella Bolton, tragically lost their lives in an avalanche on the iconic Mt. Yotei in Hokkaido, Japan. Sellens, a 33-year-old guide, and Bolton, a 21-year-old resident of Kutchan, were part of a group exploring the backcountry of the mountain.

The avalanche struck on the northern slope of Mt. Yotei, catching Sellens, Bolton, and four others by surprise. The incident occurred at an elevation of 650-700 meters and left Sellens and Bolton fatally injured.

The third New Zealander in the group, Lars Meier Blattner, a 21-year-old resident of Rankoshi, was injured in the avalanche, suffering a shoulder injury as a result.

Following a field survey conducted by the Hokkaido branch of the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice, the avalanche was determined to be a surface avalanche, measuring approximately 2 kilometers in length and up to 20 meters in width.

Bolton, who had been working as a ski guide in Niseko since November, was described by her family as someone with an adventurous spirit and a love for skiing and the outdoors. She had previously worked on ski fields in Canada, Tekapo, and Wanaka.

The tragic incident has deeply impacted the families and friends of Sellens and Bolton, as well as the wider skiing community in Hokkaido, a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders from around the world.