Tragedy strikes Utah backcountry with two fatal avalanches in just four days

Both incidents occurred during a period when the Utah Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche warning due to heavy snowfall and strong winds. The avalanche danger for the locations and dates of both accidents was rated as HIGH.

Two solo backcountry travelers died in separate avalanches in the Wasatch Mountains since Saturday.

Main Porter
On December 28, a 38-year-old man from Quebec, Canada, was reported missing after venturing out alone near Porter Fork in Mill Creek Canyon. SLCOSAR searched for the presumably lost person in the Porter Fork area out of Millcreek Canyon for two days but could not ascend into higher elevation terrain due to HIGH avalanche danger. His body was discovered on December 30, buried by an avalanche below Porter Fork Pass. Initial Report from the UAC

Davenport Hill
On December 31, a 54-year-old splitboarder triggered an avalanche on the north-facing slope of Davenport Hill in the Silver Fork area of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Another party lapping the terrain to the south in Little Cottonwood Canyon noticed a single track into fresh avalanche debris on one of their laps and called Alta Central. Search and rescue teams from AirMed, DPS, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake Search and Rescue, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, Alta Ski Area, and Utah Avalanche Center responded, found the individual with an avalanche transceiver and worked together to excavate the individual. He was buried approximately 20 feet (6m) from the surface. Initial Report from the UAC

Both incidents occurred during a period when the Utah Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche warning due to heavy snowfall and strong winds. The avalanche danger for the locations and dates of both accidents was rated as high.

Storm Snow totals since Dec. 26

• BCC: up to 49 inches (5.54″ of water)
• LCC: up to 44 inches (5.96″ of water)
• PC Ridgeline: up to 34 inches (3.64″ of water)

Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims. We extend our gratitude to the search and rescue teams from AirMed, LifeFlight, Utah Department of Public Safety, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, Alta Ski Area, and members of the Utah Avalanche Center for their efforts in these tragic events.

For current avalanche conditions and forecasts visit the Utah Avalanche Center.