Avalanche — Western Uinta Mountains, Utah

2010-11-26 · Western Uinta Mountains, Utah

Event narrative

Two experienced snowmobilers from Evanston, Wyoming were riding in the Humpy Creek drainage in the western Uinta Mountains. Since they did not plan to ride on steep terrain, they left their avalanche beacons and shovels in their vehicles. One rider, a 54 year old man, apparently decided to at least partially ascend a popular snowmobile slope called Cherry Hill, where he triggered an avalanche and was buried. By the time his friend was able to get help, he had been buried under two feet of snow for more than half an hour, and he died at the scene.

Wider weather episode

An experienced snowmobiler got caught in an avalanche in Utah's Uinta Mountains. He was buried by the snow and died at the scene.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 267276. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.