On Saturday, an avalanche incident occurred on Togwotee Pass in Wyoming, resulting in one skier’s death. The Teton County Search & Rescue team was dispatched just before noon after receiving an emergency alert through an iPhone’s satellite text-to-911 feature.
The avalanche took place in the Breccia Cliffs area where four skiers were ascending a skin track. The slide partially buried one skier, causing a lower leg injury, and fully buried another, leading to the tragic outcome.
TCSAR deployed multiple response units including helicopter, snowmobile, and ski teams. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the helicopter could not proceed, and snowmobile access was restricted by the terrain. A ski team managed to reach the scene by 3:47 p.m., providing medical aid to the injured and initiating the recovery of the deceased.
The injured skier was evacuated on a litter to an ambulance from Grand Teton National Park, while the body of the deceased was transported via sked. This incident underscores the challenges of backcountry rescue operations when air support is unavailable.
The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center is now investigating to provide further details on this tragic event. TCSAR has expressed condolences to the bereaved and appreciation for the collaborative efforts of various agencies including Grand Teton National Park, U.S. Forest Service Black Rock Ranger District, Teton County Sheriff’s Office, and Togwotee Mountain Guides.
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