Avalanche Fatality in Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho on Sunday

A fatal avalanche occurred in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho at 2pm on Sunday, February 16th, 2014.  Four snowmobilers were buried in the avalanche and one was killed.

It was a terrible avalanche week in North America last week with 2 avalanche deaths in Oregon, 2 avalanche deaths in Utah, 4 avalanche deaths in Colorado, and one avalanche death in British Columbia.  

15 people have died in avalanches in the USA this winter.

Full Idaho Avalanche Fatality Report:

An avalanche in the Frenchman Creek drainage (northwest of Galena Summit) buried 4 snowmobilers on Sunday February 16th at approximately 2:00 PM. Three members of the party survived but, tragically, one was killed. The avalanche appears to have been remotely triggered by the party while they were in the runout zone below the slope. The 2-4ft deep avalanche released on a NW aspect at roughly 9000 feet in elevation, traveled approximately 1400 vertical feet, and is estimated to be a D3 sized avalanche. We extend our deepest condolences to friends and family of those involved in the accident. **updated Feb 16th – Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Learn more about Avalanches:

SnowBrains.com’s Avalanche Webpage