Avalanche Fatality, Tobacco Roots

Bell Lake
Out of Advisory Area
Code
SS-ASu-R4-D3-O
Elevation
9000
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.54220
Longitude
-111.99800
Notes

Four skiers were ascending a steep, heavily treed slope and triggered a large avalanche. The two skiers highest on the slope grabbed trees, and the lower two were caught and partially buried. One died from trauma at the site, and the other was air-lifted to emergency care with serious injuries. (A more detailed accident report will be available soon. Check back in a day or two.) Our deepest condolences go out the family and friends of the victim.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
4
Number killed
1
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
4
D size
3
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
30.0 inches
Vertical Fall
1100ft
Slab Width
425.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Faceted Crystals
Slab Layer Grain Type
Precipitation Particles
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year