Jackson Man Dies In Avalanche

A Jackson man has died as the result of an avalanche Friday morning in the Tetons in Grand Teton National Park. 40-year-old Jarad Spackman and a companion were ascending Apocalypse Couloir on Prospector Peak near the mouth of Death Canyon when the avalanche apparently released spontaneously about 10:30 am. Spackman and his partner were impacted by an avalanche approximately 200 feet below the fork of the couloirs and Spackman was carried about 1000 feet down the narrow chute.  Spackman’s partner immediately began a search that ultimately led to him to where Spackman laid face down and only partially buried. The skiing partner attempted unsuccessfully to revive his friend with CPR, and about 15 minutes later he used a cell phone to call for help from the Grand Teton National Park rangers.  Assisted by the Teton County Search and Rescue helicopter and members of the county team, rangers flew to the location of the accident.  Spackman’s body was flown from the mountains at 2:30 pm and turned over to the Teton County coroner’s office. The avalanche danger at the time was considered low to moderate. This marks the second avalanche fatality in Grand Teton National Park this year. Previously an avalanche on Survey Peak in the northern Teton Range took the life of another skier in late January.