Search Continues Today for Person Missing After Avalanche Near Teton Pass, WY

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Avalanche on Taylor Mountain, WY on January 15th, 2020. image: Teton County Search & Rescue

UPDATE: 4/2/20 – 5 am PT

The search for a snowboarder missing following an avalanche on Taylor Mountain, WY yesterday will resume this morning.

30 members from Teton County Search and Rescue searched for 5-hours yesterday following the slide on the south face of the mountain but called off the search as the light faded.

“His ski partner did a brief beacon search but couldn’t find him,” incident commander and TCSAR chief advisor Cody Lockhart said.

The man triggered the slide as he entered the slope at around 2:45 pm Wednesday afternoon. His female companion attempted to find him, but upon being unsuccessful called for help. Rescuers also searched for a beacon signal, but couldn’t find one.

According to the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, the crown of the avalanche was up to three feet at its deepest point, also adding that three other avalanches were triggered in the southern Teton Range the same day. Avalanche danger was rated as MODERATE yesterday.

“Skiers who ventured into steep avalanche prone terrain also triggered slab avalanches 16 to 18 inches deep on a southeast aspect of the Pyramid and on a south aspect in Unskiabowl,” the report said. “A snow machine triggered a 12-inch deep slab avalanche on a steep slope west-northwest of Ski Lake. The public is reminded to use extra caution in the backcountry during the ongoing health crisis,” a press release from search and rescue said.

TCSAR are requesting the public avoid the Coal Creek parking area as it will be closed for search efforts, and that skiers avoid Teton Pass altogether today.


According to the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center, Teton County Search & Rescue crews are responding to a snowboarder-triggered avalanche on Taylor Mountain, just off Teton Pass, WY right now.

“An avalanche incident has been reported on Mt. Taylor. Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers are responding.” – Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center, 4/1/20

According to Buckrail, one person is still missing in the avalanche.

“One person is still missing after two snowboarders triggered the slide on the south-facing side of the mountain at around 2:45 p.m. TCSAR got the call at 3:20 p.m.” – Buckrail, 4/1/20

Avalanche on Taylor Mountain, WY on January 15th, 2020. image: Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center

The avalanche reportedly occurred at 2:45pm MT today, April 1st 2020, on the south side of Taylor Mountain.

It’s being reported that 30 volunteers from Teton County Search & Rescue, Jackson Hole ski resort’s rescue dogs, and Wyoming Department of Transportation avalanche technicians are searching for a male skier who was lost in the avalanche.

We will report more information related to this avalanche, the missing person, and the rescue operation as soon as the information becomes available.

image: Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center, 4/1/20
Map showing location of Taylor Mountain (red pin), Jackson, and Jackson Hole ski resort.

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