A Utah man is being hailed a hero after rescuing his brother who was buried in an avalanche he accidentally triggered. The incident occurred in the Franklin Basin area, highlighting the dangers of backcountry travel and the importance of preparedness.
The two brothers, along with their father, were snowmobiling when one brother, while "side-hilling," initiated an avalanche that swept his sibling downhill, burying him under the snow. The initial shock of the avalanche gave way to a desperate search as one brother watched his sibling get “tumbled and buried.”
Fortunately, the brother who was not buried had a transceiver, which allowed him to pinpoint his sibling's location. Upon reaching the area, he discovered his brother's fingers barely visible above the snow. He immediately began digging, uncovering his brother from where he was buried about two feet deep.
The rescued brother sustained minor injuries and described the experience as incredibly violent, feeling as though the snow was like concrete. Radio communication with his family during the search provided a beacon of hope as he awaited rescue, describing his relief when he felt his brother digging through the snow.
The Utah Avalanche Center emphasized that the brothers had the essential backcountry safety equipment, and this played a crucial role in the successful rescue. While the incident had a positive outcome, the agency also noted that avalanche conditions in the region are expected to worsen, underscoring the ongoing risks of backcountry travel. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by avalanches, which claim an average of 27 lives annually in the United States.
