From 1999-2000 UAC Annual Report:
Fatality near Montpellier, Idaho Two snowmobilers were high-marking a narrow gully below a
steep, wind-loaded bowl in the mountains west of St. Charles, Idaho. One snowmobiler got his
machine stuck and the other came up to help him when their weight triggered the avalanche.
The one who came up to help was able to outrun the avalanche at over 80 mph, while his fried
was buried. Neither had beacons or shovels.
The surviving snowmobiler probed using tree branches for about 15 minutes before going for
help. An organized rescue crew found the body of the missing snowmobiler the following day.
This exact setup is the common denominator in about two thirds of all snowmobile fatalities in
the U.S.Once again, even a small amount of avalanche education would have saved his life: one-at-a-
time, carry beacons and shovels, stay out of gullies, be cautious after recent snow and wind, call
the avalanche advisory—all simple concepts, but without basic avalanche knowledge like the
above two examples, eventually, there will be a story without a happy ending.
Our staff puts in many hours of unpaid overtime each season just to try and reach the people
who really need avalanche education and information. But we obviously can’t reach them all.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 2000.02.19_St_Charles_The_Snowy_Torrents_Page_1.pdf | 35.15 KB |
| 2000.02.19_St_Charles_The_Snowy_Torrents_Page_2.pdf | 35.42 KB |
| 2000.02.19_St_Charles_.pdf | 162.34 KB |
