Two backcountry skiers were buried in an avalanche Thursday afternoon in upper Weber Canyon. The skiers were part of a guided group that triggered the slide. One of the skiers died, giving Utah’s first avalanche fatality in more than two years.
. The other was excavated and flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital. Neither had been identified as of Friday evening.
Gordon said he believes both were wearing avalanche safety gear, which usually includes a beacon to help rescuers locate victims under the snow as well as a shovel and probe.since at least 1914, according to a UAC log that dates back to the year, though a dozen snowmobilers have met their end there.
Gordon said the orientation and height of the Uintas makes them especially tricky when it comes to judging avalanche risk. Thursday’s slide occurred on a southeast facing slope with a 37-degree angle. The water content also makes a difference, and Gordon pointed out that lower-angle slopes in Logan experienced a rash of slides a few weeks ago. On Friday, the avalanche danger in that area was “high.”
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