Avalanche — Central Mountains, Utah

2012-02-05 · Central Mountains, Utah

Event narrative

Four snowmobilers were finishing up a day of riding west of Lost Creek Reservoir. They were well aware of the avalanche danger, and as such, had avoided climbing any hills through the day. However, wanting to get back home quicker, they cut across one of the hills, and an avalanche was triggered. One rider was quickly caught in the slide, but was able to stay on his sled, and grabbed the throttle, which propelled him out of the slide area. A second rider was caught and fully buried in the snow. After more than an hour of searching by his fellow riders, he was eventually found and dug out, but he had already passed away.

Wider weather episode

A snowmobiler triggered an avalanche in the mountains of Central Utah. Two people were initially caught in the avalanche, but there was only one fatality.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 365877. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.