alpine avalanche

[WXNic]

found out all of these men were heading down the hill together when they realized it was moving underneath them. they were on turbos and could not outrun it. it hit them from behind and blew them off their sleds and my uncle who survived said he was blown all over the place and came still with one arm free to dig around and clear his helmet. he poked through with that arm, fortunately for him, to the surface and realized no one was around to get him out and he continued to dig himself out. he wasn't sure how long it took him, but it he got out and couldn't locate them with his beacon so he headed up the mountain and it took him 2 hours to get up to call 911.

i've said to myself a few times if i was in an avalanche i'd punch it to get away. these guys were very skilled riders with the fastest sleds out there and it wasn't enough. can you imagine riding side-by-side with your best friends like that? thought i'd just give a heads up on what happened - from the mouth of the only survivor.

 

[rockdog2112]

We are very sorry to hear this. Our condolences to friends and family. R.I.P.

 

[cowboysedge]

Here is an update.


A mile-long avalanche near the Wyoming-Idaho state line swept three snowmobilers to their deaths, authorities said Saturday.



Lincoln County officials said the three victims were among four snowmobilers caught by the snow slide Friday near Alpine Mountain in the Snake River Range. Sgt. Shane Tindall said the fourth person walked out and used his cell phone to call for help.

The survivor, 53-year-old Wade Clark of Soda Springs, Idaho, told authorities that the snowmobilers had dropped off a ridge line and into a draw when they saw the snow slab breaking away. The slide was about 100 yards wide and a mile long.

"They tried to outrun it and they didn't make it," Tindall said.

He said relatively warm temperatures and sunny skies warmed the rocks and melted snow on the south-facing slope. The avalanche danger was listed as moderate when the slide occurred.

Rescuers set off explosive charges to reduce the risk of a second slide before attempting to recover the victims, Tindall said.

The bodies of Robert Clark, 48; Scott Smith, 45, and Bob Tiechert, 55, were recovered about 2 1/2 hours after the slide and were buried under about 3 feet of snow, he said.

At least nine snowmobilers and one skier have been killed in avalanches in Wyoming, Montana and Utah this winter.

 

[WXNic]

here's some more info and my uncle's obituary. don't want to leave the other guys out, but i just don't know them.

http://www.robertmclark.blogspot.com/

feel free to donate if you're so inclined.

 

[browntrout]

Heartbreaking to read. Best wishes to you and yours!!

 

[Viper5]

Thoughts and prayers go out to your family and those that lost their loved ones... becarefull out there everyone

 

[Rprecision]

Sorry for your loss

 

[Woof]

So sorry for losing our friends of the sport. Saddens me.....

 

[pierrelogic]

This thread is hard to read. Sorry to hear of your loss WXNic, really sorry.

 

[GONE SLEDIN]

found out all of these men were heading down the hill together when they realized it was moving underneath them. they were on turbos and could not outrun it. it hit them from behind and blew them off their sleds and my uncle who survived said he was blown all over the place and came still with one arm free to dig around and clear his helmet. he poked through with that arm, fortunately for him, to the surface and realized no one was around to get him out and he continued to dig himself out. he wasn't sure how long it took him, but it he got out and couldn't locate them with his beacon so he headed up the mountain and it took him 2 hours to get up to call 911.

i've said to myself a few times if i was in an avalanche i'd punch it to get away. these guys were very skilled riders with the fastest sleds out there and it wasn't enough. can you imagine riding side-by-side with your best friends like that? thought i'd just give a heads up on what happened - from the mouth of the only survivor.

Hard read man. I have three buddies that I ride with atleast twice a week and this is something I could never imagine going through. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family as well as your uncle. I am sure the coming days will be a tough time for him.

 

[cook_beef]

Avalanche

Avalanche kills 3 on Wyoming-Idaho state line
By MATT JOYCE – 7 hours ago

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A mile-long avalanche near the Wyoming-Idaho state line swept three snowmobilers to their deaths, authorities said Saturday.

Lincoln County officials said the three victims were among four snowmobilers caught by the snow slide Friday near Alpine Mountain in the Snake River Range. Sgt. Shane Tindall said the fourth person walked out and used his cell phone to call for help.

The survivor, 53-year-old Wade Clark of Soda Springs, Idaho, told authorities that the snowmobilers had dropped off a ridge line and into a draw when they saw the snow slab breaking away. The slide was about 100 yards wide and a mile long.

"They tried to outrun it and they didn't make it," Tindall said.

He said relatively warm temperatures and sunny skies warmed the rocks and melted snow on the south-facing slope. The avalanche danger was listed as moderate when the slide occurred.

Rescuers set off explosive charges to reduce the risk of a second slide before attempting to recover the victims, Tindall said.

The bodies of Robert Clark, 48; Scott Smith, 45, and Bob Tiechert, 55, were recovered about 2 1/2 hours after the slide and were buried under about 3 feet of snow, he said.

At least nine snowmobilers and one skier have been killed in avalanches in Wyoming, Montana and Utah this winter.

 

[M8Chris]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. My best wishes go out to you, your family, and the other guys famalies. This was very hard to read. I will say a prayer and may them R.I.P.
Chris

 

[sto01002]

wish the best to all families and friends. God Bless.

we went up there the next day and saw right where it happened. it was the biggest avalanche that i have ever seen. there was a cliff on the opposite side of where the massive slide was and it slid as well so the it came from both sides. it was a reality check to see the aftermath, it makes me have a lot more respect for the mountains. ill think twice now before any hill that i climb. i share this to let others know to be safe and make sure you always have beacons.

if you need help getting the sleds out of there we would be more than happy to give a hand. i do have pics of the slide if family wants them pm me and i can send them to you....i hope im not stepping over the line by saying that, but i would want to see it if it was my relative.

my heart goes out to u all.

 

[WXNic]

love if you'd send me some pics. others in the family may not want to see, but i do. i'm heading up after the funeral on tuesday probably wed or thur. to pull the sleds out with some of his good friends. thanks.

 

[Killerk]

So sorry to hear about your loss
I have lost a close friend in an avy, and even after that and all of the other avy deaths I find myself and others in my group being complacent at times and not always making smart decisions.
No matter how safe you think you are, you must always expect the worst.
Please everyone, pay attention to your surroundings.
No matter how much fun you are having, ALWAYS stick to 1 person on the hill at a time.
Even better, avoid certain areas when conditions are questionable.
I will pray for all families involved.

 

[UTrider]

My condolences to the family!!