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View of Pucker Face avalanche.

An Avalanche on Pucker Face in the Backcountry off Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has claimed the life of 29-year-old snowboarder Micael Kazanjy. According to the Teton County undersheriff, Kazanjy was buried at about 12:50 p.m. under 4 feet to 6 feet of snow. Avalanche danger at the time of the slide was moderate at high and mid elevations and low at low elevations. You can read the full avalanche forecast here.

You can read more about this incident at  jhnewsandguide.com

Known as Pucker Face, the east-facing slope at 10,300 feet slid with a crown depth of 48 inches, according to the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center. The Avalanche Center’s preliminary report said the slope’s angle was greater than 45 degrees and that Kazanjy was the first person on the slope at the time of the slide.

Gilliam didn’t know if Kazanjy died of trauma or of suffocation while under the snow.

A Jackson Hole ski guide was the first to report the slide to ski patrol, said resort spokeswoman Anna Cole. Other skiers also saw it, Gilliam added.

“The incident was witnessed by numerous backcountry travelers including JHMR Backcountry Guides, who were in the vicinity,” said a news release issued by the resort.

Cole didn’t know who located Kazanjy after the avalanche, but said ski patrollers and other skiers had joined the search for him.

A doctor employed by the resort arrived at the scene “relatively quickly” after the slide, Gilliam said. A helicopter brought a second physician to the scene soon after, but they were unable to revive Kazanjy.”  – jhnewsandguide.com

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