First Avalanche of the Season Reported in New Zealand On July 5, a two-person avalanche involvement was reported in the Ohau backcountry in New Zealand. From the limited information available it seems to have occurred on a steep, wind affected aspect with ongoing wind loading. Out of the group of three, two people were buried but survived as the runout of the avalanche was into open terrain with no […] Avalanche Nathaniel Lewis | July 8, 2024 1 Comment
Mount Superior in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, to Get New Avalanche Control Towers Next Season, Replacing Artillery Usage Mount Superior in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon is going to look a bit different next winter. Beginning this month, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) will be transitioning from using military artillery to a more advanced and safer method for controlling avalanches in Little Cottonwood Canyon. KUTV reports that starting July 8, UDOT will start installing 16 Wyssen Avalanche Towers […] Industry News Martin Kuprianowicz | July 2, 2024 0 Comments
Highlights From the Utah Avalanche Center 2023/24 Annual Report Utah had another great snowfall year in 2023/24 following the historic snowfall of the 2022-2023 season. Overall, the state saw 131% of the average snowfall setting a record for the snowiest two-year period in state history. From October 2022 to May 2024, Alta Ski Area reported an incredible 1,531 inches of snow—over 127 feet. The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) released […] Avalanche Brent Thomas | June 26, 2024 0 Comments
[VIDEO] Police Dig Out Driver Trapped in Car After Avalanche Near Valle Nevado, Chile Chilean emergency responders successfully rescued a driver trapped under an avalanche on a mountain road near Santiago on Saturday, June 22. The rescue occurred on Route G-251 in Valle Nevado, where a fierce blizzard created hazardous conditions. Emergency teams battled through deep snowfall to reach the scene. Related: Valle Nevado, Chile, Has Already Gotten 130 Inches of Snow This Season […] Avalanche AvyBrains | June 24, 2024 0 Comments
[UPDATED] Search Suspended for 3 Climbers Missing on Atwell Peak Near Whistler, BC, Due to High Avalanche Risk Updated Sunday, June 9, 8:45 am PST: Rescue teams have been forced to suspend their search for three overdue and experienced mountain climbers missing near Squamish, B.C., citing unstable and avalanche-prone conditions in the rugged Atwell Peak area. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated in a media release that “significant challenges due to current unstable conditions have resulted in […] Climbing Leander Walchshöfer | June 9, 2024 1 Comment
Skier and His Dog Trigger Avalanche on Beartooth Highway, MT, After Week-Long Road Closure The Beartooth Highway, known for its breathtaking views and access to excellent backcountry terrain, reopened this weekend after a week-long delay due to winter weather. However, within an hour of the reopening, a significant avalanche on the Gardiner Headwall was triggered by backcountry users. Related: Weather-Permitting, Beartooth Highway (US-212) From Red Lodge to Cooke City, MT, Projected to Open June […] Avalanche AvyBrains | June 5, 2024 1 Comment
Beartooth Highway (US 212), WY/MT, Remains Closed Following Avalanche Cowboy State Daily reports that the anticipated opening of the Beartooth Highway (US 212), WY/MT, has been further delayed after an avalanche struck the road this week. The 68-mile highway, which climbs to 10,947 feet in elevation between Montana and Wyoming, was initially scheduled to open for the summer season on May 24. However, a late-season winter storm forced crews […] Avalanche AvyBrains | May 29, 2024 1 Comment
Utah Avalanche Center Releases May 9 Big Willow Cirque Dual-Avalanche Fatality Report Courtesy of the Utah Avalanche Center On Thursday, May 9, 2024, Austin Mallet, 32, and Andrew Cameron, 22, died in an avalanche in the Big Willow drainage of the Wasatch Mountains. On that day around 5:00 AM, they began hiking with a friend, 23, up the Sawmill trail to access the Big Willow Drainage. They intended to use the Big […] Avalanche AvyBrains | May 24, 2024 2 Comments