Two Skiers Killed, One Rescued in Utah Avalanche

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Two Skiers Killed, One Rescued in Utah Avalanche

Tragedy strikes as avalanche claims two lives while one skier miraculously survives in Utah's treacherous terrain.

On Thursday, May 9, an avalanche near Lone Peak in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon claimed the lives of two backcountry skiers and left one rescued. The victims have been identified as Andrew Cameron, 23, from Utah, and Austin Mallet, 32, from Montana. The third person, whose identity remains undisclosed, was rescued by search and rescue teams and a helicopter, and was taken to a nearby hospital before being released on the same day.

Treacherous Terrain and Unstable Conditions

The north-facing region of Lone Peak, where the avalanche occurred, is known for its steep and unforgiving terrain, posing a higher risk of avalanche activity. More than two feet of new snow fell in the region this week, bringing the season total at nearby Snowbird to just over 600 inches. The National Weather Service predicted strong winds throughout Thursday, with gusts over 60 mph.

The Utah Avalanche Center had stopped issuing regular advisories in mid-April, transitioning to intermittent reports of any activity. On May 1, the UAC issued its final product of the season for the Salt Lake Area mountains, reminding skiers of the three different avalanche problems typically encountered during spring: wet snow, new snow instability, and wind-drifted snow.

According to the Utah Avalanche Center’s report, the avalanche was 250 feet wide, 500 feet long, and had a depth of 2 feet. Wind-drifted snow may have played a role in the avalanche. The three men were equipped with avalanche beacons, probes, shovels, and helmets.

Recovery Efforts and Aftermath

Search crews recovered the bodies of Cameron and Mallet on Friday morning, after weather and snow conditions prevented their recovery on Thursday. The three men, who were friends, were climbing up a ridge on a slope called Big Willow Aprons and were near the top when the slide was unintentionally triggered. The first climber was carried downhill on the right side of the ridge and partially buried, but was able to dig himself out, call for help, and was rescued by midday Thursday.

Family members of the two victims were at the search staging area near Sandy on Thursday and Friday. “There are situations such as today where we may know the people that are on the mountain,” said Alan Bergstrom, a squad leader with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, making the recovery effort difficult for searchers as well.

Crews “were able to dig pretty quickly and get ’em out and get back on the helicopters,” Bergstrom said. “But as we were finishing up, the winds were picking up and the helicopter was starting to have a little bit of trouble judging the landing spot.”

Avalanche Fatalities in the U.S.

The fatalities bring this winter’s tally of avalanche deaths in the U.S. to 15, according to the Utah Avalanche Information Center. An average of 30 people die in avalanches each year in the U.S.

The deaths mark a loss to the backcountry community. “Right now, our hearts and our entire community is feeling a very heavy blow,” said Craig Gordon, a forecaster for the Utah Avalanche Center.