Avalanche — Western Uinta Mountains, Utah

2023-03-09 · Western Uinta Mountains, Utah

Event narrative

A group including two guides, eleven clients, and two snowcat operators were in the Western Uinta Mountains for backcountry skiing. For their final run, the group ascended to the top of a point in the Upper Weber Canyon approximately 10400 feet in elevation with a southeast aspect and slope angle of around 37 degrees. After one guide and two skiers descended, a third skier began descending and fell part way down. A fourth skier began their descent, with the avalanche subsequently releasing at approximately 3:21 pm. The avalanche caught the third and fourth skier, carrying them downhill and fully burying them. A guide called for medical and search and rescue aid, and began searching for the buried skiers. One skier was found buried around 5 feet deep, but was breathing and alert when uncovered. The skier was fully excavated and then transferred via air ambulance to a local hospital. Some time later, the transceiver signal for the second buried skier was located. The skier was found buried upside down around 6 feet deep, not breathing, and with no pulse. The skier was pronounced dead approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes after the avalanche.

Wider weather episode

Another in a series of winter storms impacted the region early to mid March, resulting in widespread snow accumulation primarily throughout Utah's high terrain. High winds were observed in many locations. An avalanche related fatality is also noted within the time period of this storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1087897. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.