Moffit Basin Avy?
- Thread starter sled_guy
- Start date
Snowmobiles, one dead.
http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-s...copters-deployed-to-avalanche,0,4354345.story
http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-s...copters-deployed-to-avalanche,0,4354345.story
"Summit County officials are reporting that one person has died in an avalanche in the Moffit Basin area.
There are very few details at this time, but officials said they recovered one victim, who had died just before 4 p.m. Search and rescue from Summit County, including snowcats and two air ambulances responded to the area, Summit County Sheriff's detective Ron Bridge said. He said he didn't yet know what time the avalanche occurred or what the individual was doing when they were trapped."
Damnit!
There are very few details at this time, but officials said they recovered one victim, who had died just before 4 p.m. Search and rescue from Summit County, including snowcats and two air ambulances responded to the area, Summit County Sheriff's detective Ron Bridge said. He said he didn't yet know what time the avalanche occurred or what the individual was doing when they were trapped."
Damnit!
Just saw the news on KSL, sucks. I hope everyone on here is safe and accounted for.
Just got back from there. Helicopter spotted us and landed to ask directions. Then I talked to the Brother of the victim. Sad Day
R
RMKED
Well-known member
Sad day for sure! The news reported that the guy is out of Evanston, Wyo. Name is Dennis Barnes. Prayers are sent to his family.
Not trying to hijack this, but has anyone heard anything about a slide back by Grandview? We was sitting in the bowl just north of Banner and heard a loud thud, a helicopter showed up within 10 minutes then took off after about 5-10 minutes.
Not trying to hijack this, but has anyone heard anything about a slide back by Grandview? We was sitting in the bowl just north of Banner and heard a loud thud, a helicopter showed up within 10 minutes then took off after about 5-10 minutes.
it was helicopter skiers doing avy control
C
Colorado4fun
Well-known member
Not the way to end the day when you have a helicopter pilot ask for directions because of an avy and then show up in the parking lot to a ton of people, lights and worried faces. 
Prayers going out to all of his family and friends.
Prayers going out to all of his family and friends.
R
RMKED
Well-known member
Glad to hear that! My sled was running not so good today and I couldn't have made it back in there to help if I tried.
J
JustinB
Well-known member
I dont think you could have made it over banner we blazed all the way in to that bowl yesterday there is a wood gate the snow isnt deep enough.
Saw the choppers today but did even think it was that close to us. Prayers to the family and a depressing start to the season. I over heard someone was buried in duchane this year is that true?
A
avyhunter
Well-known member
Here's the initial report for the Uinta avalanche-
http://utahavalanchecenter.org/accident_super_bowl_11262010
I'll be taking a look at the site today and will have more info available late in the day.
In the mean time, please check the avy forecast for where you plan to ride- www.utahavalanchecenter.org
The western Uinta's have a very different snowpack than the neighboring Wasatch Mountains.
http://utahavalanchecenter.org/accident_super_bowl_11262010
I'll be taking a look at the site today and will have more info available late in the day.
In the mean time, please check the avy forecast for where you plan to ride- www.utahavalanchecenter.org
The western Uinta's have a very different snowpack than the neighboring Wasatch Mountains.
J
JohnnyQuestUtah
Well-known member
Tough deal..........
ride smart everyone ......
ride smart everyone ......
S
SledsWest
Well-known member
Two snowmobilers from Evanston, Wyoming were riding in the Moffit Basin area in the Uinta Mountains. They accessed the area from the trailheads out of Evanston. They were both experienced, high-end riders and well-known in the commmunity. They did not plan to ride on steep terrain so they left their beacons and shovels in their vehicles at the trailhead.
One rider apparently decided to at least partially ascend "Super Bowl" a popular snowmobile play slope. It is the same slope where one other snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche on Christmas Day in 2007. The other rider did not see him ascend Super Bowl but saw the dust cloud of the avalanche and there was a lone snowmobile track halfway up the bowl.
He assumed his friend was buried and did a quick search of the debris and did not find any surface clues. Since he had no beacon or shovel, he rode to a high point where he could call for a rescue and went back on the debris to continue searching. He eventually located the tip of a snowmobile ski sticking out of the snow, possibly with other riders in the area. Someome had an avalanche probe and they located the victim just uphill of his snowmobile. He was buried about 2 feet deep and he did not respond to recessitation.
An air ambulance arrived with an Alta ski patroller and his rescue dog but apparently the victim was found by the victim's partner and others in the area.
Total burial time is unknown, but believed to be over a half hour.
The avalanche was likely triggered by the weight of the snowmobile and its rider at mid slope. The avalanche broke up to near the ridge and was quite large 3-5 feet fracture crown and 600 feet wide and it descended to the bottom of the bowl. The snow structure is unknown, but believed to be a hard, wind slab deposited on a weak, pre-existing snowpack.
One rider apparently decided to at least partially ascend "Super Bowl" a popular snowmobile play slope. It is the same slope where one other snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche on Christmas Day in 2007. The other rider did not see him ascend Super Bowl but saw the dust cloud of the avalanche and there was a lone snowmobile track halfway up the bowl.
He assumed his friend was buried and did a quick search of the debris and did not find any surface clues. Since he had no beacon or shovel, he rode to a high point where he could call for a rescue and went back on the debris to continue searching. He eventually located the tip of a snowmobile ski sticking out of the snow, possibly with other riders in the area. Someome had an avalanche probe and they located the victim just uphill of his snowmobile. He was buried about 2 feet deep and he did not respond to recessitation.
An air ambulance arrived with an Alta ski patroller and his rescue dog but apparently the victim was found by the victim's partner and others in the area.
Total burial time is unknown, but believed to be over a half hour.
The avalanche was likely triggered by the weight of the snowmobile and its rider at mid slope. The avalanche broke up to near the ridge and was quite large 3-5 feet fracture crown and 600 feet wide and it descended to the bottom of the bowl. The snow structure is unknown, but believed to be a hard, wind slab deposited on a weak, pre-existing snowpack.
weather channel
I just saw this report on the weather channel. Please be careful folks.
I just saw this report on the weather channel. Please be careful folks.
They sure don't sound very experienced by that poor decision made at the truck. A decision that ultimately sealed his fate.
So So Sad!
S
sledchick
Well-known member
Agreed very sad!
Condolences to the victim, and family and friends. As far as avy safety goes, UAC has very easy ways to check the conditions before you go. Not only the website, but UAC has an app for those iPhone users, or if you are on Twitter..they have updates that can be sent to your phone via text. On top of educating yourself, the Center is making it that much easier to keep ourselves safe. PLEASE be safe people!
