Officials Advise Outdoor Caution After 2 People Caught In Avalanche

LOGAN, Utah – The Utah Avalanche Center in Logan has warned outdoor recreationists about the dangers of heavy snow packs after two people were caught in an avalanche.

The avalanche occurred Saturday afternoon just north of the Utah/Idaho state line.

Officials said two riders were caught and carried in the snow and ice as it rolled down a slope.

One of the riders was partially buried and had to be dug out. The other was able to deploy an avalanche airbag, and was fortunate to stay on top of the snow.

12-8-19: A close call occurred yesterday afternoon just north of the Idaho State Line. 2 riders caught and carried, one partially buried, the other deployed air bag and ended up on top. Today’s storm will cause areas of CONSIDERABLE danger on some upper elevation slopes.. pic.twitter.com/xeoBc4GBzr

— UAC Logan (@UAClogan) December 8, 2019

Officials at the center have warned about a Sunday storm expected to cause “areas of considerable danger on some upper elevations.”

In a video posted Thursday on the center’s Facebook page, experts took a closer look at an avalanche triggered by skiers the day before in an area known as the Miller Bowl in the Bear River Range.

They pointed out the snow underneath the avalanche snowpack was much more thin and powdery, making it more likely that heavier snow on top could lose traction and slide down the mountainside.

“This is the October snow that sat on the ground for more than two weeks in November,” they said. “This is great powder snow for skiing, but what you might now know is that this really weak, sugary snow exists down underneath.”

Officials have recommended outdoor enthusiasts to stay off steep slopes, and on “lower angle” areas.