A backcountry avalanche in western Wyoming claimed the life of one skier and injured another Saturday. The accident occurred approximately 20 miles east of Grand Teton National Park.
Four skiers were ascending a steep slope at roughly 10,400 feet when a large, 5-foot-thick slab of snow broke away, burying one skier completely and partially burying another.
Search and rescue teams, assisted by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, responded to the incident. Reaching the remote location took nearly four hours due to challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, which prevented a helicopter from landing.
Recent snowstorms in the region, including one on Saturday, are believed to have contributed to the avalanche. This fatality marks the fifth avalanche-related death in the US this winter.
