Two skiers were killed just outside Jackson Hole ski resort in Wyoming today in the Rock Springs area. One other skier was with the two deceased skiers and that person lived.
They were “not local people — they were visitors from out of town,” according to Jackson Hole spokeswoman, Anna Cole.
The avalanche occurred at about 2pm today in the very popular and just beyond the boundary area known as Rock Springs.
Initial reports are saying that the three skiers were not prepared to be in avalanche terrain and did not have avalanche gear.
“It’s upsetting because these folks, because we don’t think they we’re properly prepared for the backcountry. They didn’t have transceivers and they apparently didn’t know the terrain very well.” – Jackson Hole spokeswoman, Anna Cole
Ski patrol received report of the avalanche at 2:28pm today when a backcountry guide saw the avalanche and reported it. Patrollers immediately found the surviving skier at Ralph’s Slide, between Zero G and M&M. The survivor reported that his two friends were missing.
Patrol found one skier by probe and had him out of the snow be 3:20pm, according to Anna Cole. Patrollers and volunteers found the other skier via probe-line at 3:32pm.
Both skiers were pronounced dead at the scene.
This was the 2nd avalanche death in Wyoming the 12th in the USA this winter. That total may rise when two currently missing people are determined to have died form avalanches. A doctor at Hatcher Pass AK, a ski instructor at Donner Pass, CA.
There has been a flurry of avalanche accidents of late with 7 avalanche deaths since New Years Day 2016.
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this (spokesperson’s comment) resembles reports of cyclists who die in a high speed accident and the comment is that he wasn’t wearing a helmet. avalanche gear doesn’t save many lives. avoiding being caught in an avalanche saves lives. so, maybe comment that they chose a different line than other skiers, maybe an ill advised line. but don’t judge them. they paid the price already.
I don’t think anyone is judging, rather stating the facts- The victims of this avalanche were not prepared to ski backcountry. They had no transceivers, shovels or probes and did not know the area well. It is positively true that when you are well-equipped, and know the terrain in and out, your chances of survival and having a fun, safe day skiing are more in your favor.
I hate to be this person in light of the content of this article, but can authors please proofread their work before they post it to the world at large? In this article, the errors were so egregious that they actually hampered my understanding of certain sentences that were intended to be pertinent.
I enjoy this website but the writing style and constant spelling errors make it hard to read sometimes.. Thanks