1 killed, 1 hospitalized in Weber Canyon backcountry avalanche (Updated)

Upper Weber Canyon Avalanche Photo: Utah Avalanche Center

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — One adult male was killed and another was injured after being caught and buried in an avalanche in the Weber Canyon backcountry on March 9.

A group of guided skiers triggered the large avalanche and two skiers were caught, carried, and buried. A transceiver search was conducted and one skier was successfully excavated and flown to a nearby hospital.

The other skier was buried deeper and wasn’t breathing when he was uncovered. Both air ambulance and guide personnel initiated CPR, but he passed away at the scene.

In a preliminary report from The Utah Avalanche Center the fatal hard slab avalanche was said to be 4′ in depth, 400′ wide and to have run 1,250′. The slide was triggered on a Southeast aspect at 10,300′ elevation.

Original:

At approximately 3:30 p.m., Summit County Dispatch received a call of a reported Avalanche. Multiple agencies responded including Search and Rescue, AirMed and the Summit County Sheriff. Two burials were confirmed and both individuals have been located.

Life saving measures were performed. One individual has been confirmed deceased, the second patient has been transported to a nearby hospital.

The Utah Avalanche Center forecast today was MODERATE avalanche danger noting “Avalanche danger will be on the rise as we receive heavy snowfall, high winds, and overall warm temperatures with the incoming storm.”

TownLift will update this story as more information becomes available.