Screen Shot 2016-02-29 at 5.19.00 PM

A 50 year-old is dead after an avalanche struck a group of two snowmobilers on Saturday near the Eureka Lodge in the Nelchina Glacier area reports yourAlaskalink.com. The victim has since been identified by Alaska State Troopers as Randy Pratt of Anchorage, Alaska.

The latest fatality brings the avalanche death toll to 22 in the United States alone!

The initial search and rescue effort came near 1pm on Saturday after reports were submitted that Pratt and his partner had been in the area of an avalanche and were missing.

Once on the scene, troopers discovered the deceased body of Pratt as well as his partner. His partner declined medical care.

Avalanche danger has been on the rise over the weekend and is expected to peak this morning. Excercise extreme caution when traveling in avalanche terrain as slides are likely on slopes greater than 35°.

Anchorage Alaska Advisory (Feb. 28th)

Avalanche danger has increased due to continued strong winds, combined with fresh snow in some areas.  Dangerous avalanche conditions.  Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential.  Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.  Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Find avalanche advisories for Alaska here: Alaska Avalanche Information Center

Unofficial Networks Newsletter

Get the latest snow and mountain lifestyle news and entertainment delivered to your inbox.

Hidden
Newsletters
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.