Quick report
Fatal avalanche reported to Carbon County Sheriff's dispatch center at 13:36. No other information available. Investigators went to the scene of the accident on Feb 10.
Weather
The NWS office in Cheyenne issued a WInter Storm Warning as a sprawling plume of moisture affecting the Four Corners states was expected to bring 18-24" new snow to the Sierra Madre starting Wednesday and continuing into Thursday, Feb 8. The closest weather station to the accident site is the Battle Pass Snotel site operated by the NRCS. From 1AM on the 7th to 12 noon on the 8th 1.4" of snow water equivalent was recorded at this station. A frontal passage then brought west and northwest up to 50 mph to the area.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2 R3
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- E
- Trigger
- AM
- Elevation
- 10200 ft
PRELIMINARY: Two snowmobilers were riding in Haskins Creek, west of Battle Pass in the Sierra Madre range. They triggered an avalanche while riding in the lower portion of an open, east-facing slope. The avalanche broke two to eight feet deep and very wide. Both riders were caught. Rider 1 rode out of the moving debris and turned to see that Rider 2 was partially buried-critical, with his feet in the air and head below the debris. Rider 1 dug his partner free and performed CPR, but Rider 2 did not survive.