The area in question is looker's left of the prominent couloir pictured
The area in question is looker’s left of the prominent couloir pictured

On Sunday afternoon, an avalanche in the Upper Rock Springs area just south of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s boundary killed two skiers. Another member of the party has since survived reports the Jackson Hole News and Guide.

The group was skiing between the two popular backcountry routes known as ‘Zero G’ and ‘M&M’s.’ The area in question is infamous for its exposure to cliffs, deceptive roll-over, and hanging snow field.  A backcountry guide witnessed the slide and reported the incident to ski patrol at approximately 2:28pm. Once on the scene, patrollers found the survivor in the ‘Ralph’s Slide’ area, when he told them that a man and woman in his party were missing. Luckily, the survivor held onto a tree and subsequently saved himself from being carried over the cliff and buried.

None of the people in the party were carrying the necessary avalanche safety equipment.

Ski patrol found the two victims by 3:32pm, which is an amazing response time for a multiple burial situation. Both skiers seemed to have died from trauma and were pronounced dead shortly after being dug out. One of the victims was buried roughly 3 feet below the snow’s surface, while the other victim was buried around a foot deep.

There have already been 10 avalanche related fatalities in the USA this season.

Resort spokesperson Anna Cole told the JH News and Guide, the people were “not local,” to which she later added, “they didn’t have transceivers and they apparently didn’t know the terrain very well.” 

*We strongly urge all people traveling in uncontrolled, avalanche terrain to seek out the resources necessary to become familiar with both avalanches as well as how to make appropriate terrain choices when traveling in the backcountry

Also Watch: #KBYG

Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of the victims. 

Bridger Teton Avalanche Event Information

Just before 2:30 this afternoon, three skiers triggered a slide on an unsupported slope to the south of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. One of the skiers was able to grab a tree before going over a cliff. Two others were caught, carried over the cliff and fully buried. Tragically, they did not survive. This slide occurred on a south-southeast facing slope at an elevation of 9,900 feet. The Jackson Hole Ski Patrol initially responded to the slide. Teton County Search and Rescue, Jackson Hole Backcountry Guides and the public assisted soon afterward. More details will be made available as new information emerges. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and families of the victims.

Date/Time: 01/24/2016 14:30:00

Path: Ralphs Slide Zone: 105
Elevation: 9900 Aspect: SE
Starting zone slope angle: 41-45
Type: SS
Relative Size: 3 Destructive Size: 2.5 Depth: 36
Trigger: AS
Lat: 43.592274 Lng: -110.879059

Observer Notes:<<Two fatalities. Third person caught, but grabbed a tree.>>

2 Fatalities Involved.

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