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The Dexes / Avalanche / 1306850

Eventdex · Avalanche

WASATCH MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF I-80

1306850

The record

Everything the slot carries, as measured. Series arrays are drawn above and listed here in full.

event_typeAvalanche
ncei_event_id1,306,850
episode_id209,599
begin_utc2026-02-22T22:30:00+00:00
end_utc2026-02-22T22:45:00+00:00
stateUTAH
cz_typeZ
cz_nameWASATCH MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF I-80
deaths_direct1
deaths_indirect0
injuries_direct1
injuries_indirect0
damage_property0.00K
damage_crops0.00K
wfo_sourceFire Department/Rescue
episode_narrativeFollowing a strong mid-month winter storm which produced substantial mountain snow accumulations, many avalanches were reported across Utah's mountains due to snowpack conditions.
event_narrativeA group of seven snowbikers met in Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Guardsmans Pass trailhead with the intention to ride in the area during the afternoon. Most of the group had extensive backcountry, including formal avalanche training, and members of the group were equipped with transceiver (though no transceiver check was performed), probe, shovel, and avalanche airbag. While they were aware of the conditions, including considerable avalanche danger rating (per Utah Avalanche Center), they set out planning to stick to low-angle slopes in Caribou Basin which they knew well. While riding, they observed numerous avalanches, and noted the loose underlying snow characteristics when getting one member unstuck from deep snow. After taking a break, the group decided to do one more session around the basin before returning to the trailhead. The group set out and subsequently regrouped, but noticed one member was missing. They backtracked and found a spot where a fresh avalanche had overrun an area which they had ridden. The members called 911 and began a transceiver search, but could not find a signal given the large debris pile. Eventually after several minutes, one member spotted the missing member's snowbike. The group began spot probing, but were unsuccessful. Wasatch Search and Rescue and AirMed responded to the site, but due to conditions getting dark and the likelihood further avalanche mitigation would be required for rescuer safety, rescue efforts were halted for the night. Multiple agencies resumed rescue efforts, and avalanche mitigation was performed. In time an avalanche dog located the missing member, and the victim was found deceased beneath roughly 2 feet of snow. The victim was wearing an avalanche transceiver, but it was not turned on. Additionally, the avalanche airbag the victim had been wearing had not been deployed.
year2,026

Provenance

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Storage: spine

WASATCH MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF I-80 — Avalanche — TerraPulse