Steve Romeo and Chris Onufer were killed in an avalanche in the Grand Teton National Park yesterday. Our most sincere condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.
The Bridger Teton National Forest Avalanche Center has created an informative video describing what happened in this avalanche fatality so that we can educate and arm ourselves with more knowledge.
“Two well known locals were found in avalanche debris this morning near Ranger Peak in GTNP. They did not survive the event. The skiers apparently triggered a slide with a crown that was approximately three feet deep and at least three hundred feet across while on approach for a descent in that area. The slide initiated near 10300 feet and carried the skiers full track, roughly 3000 vertical feet, to the toe of the path. The skiers were reported missing on the night of 3/7/12 and were quickly located by Grand Teton National Park Rangers in the morning on 3/8/12. This is a tragic loss and the avalanche center staff extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of these backcountry skiers that so many of us in this community knew so well. Check the avalanche event map on our website for estimated location and details.” – Bridger Teton National Forest Avalanche Center
Thanks to the Bridger Teton National Forest Avalanche Center for this video.
AVALANCHE DETAILS:
– Occurred on Ranger Peak in the Grand Teton National Park
– Avalanche crown at 10,300 feet
– Crown = 2-3 feet deep and 300 feet wide
– Avalanche hazard = Moderate
– Avalanche ran 3,000 vertical feet with both skiers in it, both skiers were buried, neither skier survived
– Size 3 avalanche
– Avalanche occurred while the two skiers were skinning up the slope
From yesterday:
Our thoughts go out to two more ski mountaineers who perished in the mountains this winter.Steve Romeo and Chris Onufer were recovered today after a large slide occured on Ranger Peak near Jackson Hole. Steve was an avid blogger and everyone over at Teton AT and TGR really appreciated the stoke he brought to the table. Big lines and deep pow from the beautiful Tetons. We wish the best to the family and friends of the victims. What an awful winter. Here is the timeline in reverse order from The Jackson Hole Daily… – Unofficial
click here for the rest of the article and more detail: Jackson Hole Avalanche
