Yoichi Kubota died crossing Kluane park creek with pack straps done up: coroner

A hiker from Ontario who died in Kluane National Park in July attempted to cross a creek without undoing the straps on his 36 kilogram pack, ruled Yukon's chief coroner.

Kirsten Macdonald said Yoichi Kubota, 30, died from drowning in Canada Creek.

Kubotaregistered with Parks Canada for a three-day hiking trip on July 26.

When the solo hiker failed to de-register with the park on July 29, a search response was initiated.

The body of Kubotawas located on July 30 near Canada Creek, about 22 kilometres along the Slim's West hiking trail.

He was found still strapped into his 65-litre backpack.

"The left strapwas wrapped around the left wrist of Mr. Kubota, the right arm was within the shoulder strap, and the waist belt was securely fastened," Macdonald wrote in her report.

Shesaid the weight of Kubota's pack and his inability to quickly remove it would have made it very difficult for him to extricate himself from cold, fast moving creek water.

Kluane National Park recommendson its websitethat hikers undo the waist strap of their backpack before crossing a creek"for easy removal in case you fall." Italso recommends crossing creeks in a group for greater stability.

The park's registration process for overnight trips includes a safety briefing about hazards, including crossing creeks.