Solo Montana State University Student Dies in Backcountry After Equipment Malfunction

SnowBrains | | Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
Rescue operation on Friday am.  photo:  gallatin sheriff's office
Rescue operation on Friday am. photo: gallatin sheriff’s office

A Montana State University (Bozeman, MT) student from Anchorage, AK was found dead after failing to return from a solo backcountry ski trip yin Hyalite Canyon south of Bozeman Thursday.  

Nathaniel Wright, 20, was skiing alone in the History Rock area of Hyalite Canyon and was expected home by 8:30pm on Thursday night.

The Sheriff reported that Nathaniel had a problem with one of his skins leading him to being unable to return to his car easily.  He ended up wandering into very complex terrain.  In the ensuing struggle, Nathaniel lost his life.

Nathaniel’s girlfriend reported him missing at 10:45pm on Thursday night.  Search and rescue crews searched for Nathaniel all night with snowmobiles and night vision equipment.  They found Nathaniel deceased at 6:30am on Friday.  His car was found at the Hyalite Canyon trailhead with the emergency kit still inside.

Temperatures were in the single digits on Thursday night.  Single digits don’t allow for any mistakes in the backcountry, especially if you’re alone.

“Sometimes we let the closeness of the backcountry in Gallatin County lull us into a false sense of safety.  You may be able to see town but you really are in the back country and if something goes wrong it can turn tragic.  In this case it appears he had an equipment malfunction which led to a cascade of events ending in his death.” – Sheriff Gootkin

Please do not travel in avalanche terrain without all avalanche gear, education, experience, and at least one experienced, badass partner.

The complex terrain Nathaniel was found in.  photo:  gallatin sheriff's office
The complex terrain Nathaniel was found in. photo: gallatin sheriff’s office

GALLATIN COUNTY MEDIA RELEASE:

(Bozeman, Mont.) On Thursday, February 4th, 2016 at 2245 hours, dispatch received a 911 call from the girlfriend of an overdue backcountry skier.  Nathaniel “Alex” Wright age 20 an MSU student from Alaska was skiing alone in the History Rock area of Hyalite Canyon and was supposed to be home by 8:30 P.M..  Temperatures overnight in Hyalite were in the single digits above zero. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responded with snowmobiles and backcountry skiers and used night vision from Reach Medical Helicopter.  At about 6:30 A.M. Rescuers located Wright deceased.  He was off the trail well north of History rock near Hyalite Creek.

Sheriff Gootkin extends his condolences to family and friends and stated, “Sometimes we let the closeness of the backcountry in Gallatin County lull us into a false sense of safety.  You may be able to see town but you really are in the back country and if something goes wrong it can turn tragic.  In this case it appears he had an equipment malfunction which led to a cascade of events ending in his death.”

Remember; be prepared to stay out over night, take a partner and let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.  The exact cause of death is being investigated by Deputy Sheriff/Coroners.

 


Related Articles

Got an opinion? Let us know...