An avalanche claimed the life of a snowmobiler on Tuesday in the southern Madison range in southwestern Montana reports the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

The avalanche struck in the Mail Cabin Creek area on the western portion of Sage Peak. The group included 6 snowmobilers from Minnesota, who were wary of the conditions at the time of the accident. At some point, one of the riders remotely triggered the slope from below and was buried 3 feet under his sled by snow and avalanche debris. It took his group 12-15 minutes to extract the victim but it was already too late.

“I do not expect to see natural avalanches, but human triggered ones are possible and the danger is rated MODERATE, a “spicy” moderate is what I called it in yesterday’s video. Spicy because although the likelihood of triggering an avalanche fits a moderate rating, I’m being conservative and traveling as though it’s rated considerable.”Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

*Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s friends and family

Avalanche Fatality [Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center]

Yesterday there was a snowmobiler avalanche fatality in Cabin Creek on the west side of Sage Peak in the southern Madison Range. Six riders from MN assessed that slopes were dangerous and opted not to highmark, deciding instead to ride the lower flanks. One rider triggered the slope from below and was caught and buried 3’ deep under his sled. The ski to his sled was sticking out of the snow and his location was confirmed by a beacon search. He was dug up in 12-15 minutes but did not survive. This is a sad and tragic accident and all our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Find up-to-date avalanche advisories here: Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

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