SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah, Jan. 25, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Three skiers emerged unscathed from a backcountry avalanche Wednesday morning in Lambs Canyon.
Unified Police Department Detective Ken Hansen told Gephardt Daily a skier was initially reported missing in the avalanche, which occurred at approximately 11 a.m.
Hansen said that the three men, two in their 40s and one in his 50s, all from the Salt Lake City area, were skiing together in the Mount Aire area of Lambs Canyon, which is approximately 2200 S. 9000 East. All three are experienced backcountry skiers, Hansen added.
One skier became separated from the other two, and is thought to have triggered the avalanche, he added.
The two skiers were concerned because the locator beacon of the third did not appear, Hansen said, but that turned out to be because of the distance between the skiers at that time.
All three men safely skied out of the avalanche area, and Search and Rescue teams, as well as a possible medical helicopter, were called off.
Hansen added, however, that with avalanche danger at “considerable” levels at upper elevations following recent snowstorms, backcounty skiing is generally not recommended at this time, even for those who are experienced and have the correct equipment.
The Utah Avalanche Center said on its website Wednesday that the avalanche danger for the Wasatch Front is “considerable” at the upper elevations and on mid-elevation slopes facing northwest through southeast. The avalanche danger scale has five levels; low, moderate, considerable, high and extreme.
“All other backcountry avalanche terrain has a moderate danger, including low elevation slopes,” the post said. “Avalanches one to three feet deep can be triggered, on slopes and remotely from a distance. Careful snow pack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential for the backcountry traveler in avalanche terrain today.
“There is unusually weak snow at the lower elevations — avalanches can be triggered below 8000 feet. Avoid steep slopes and terrain traps such as gullies, creek beds, and trails and roads below steep banks where even a small slide can pile snow up deeply.”
For Utah Avalanche Center’s website, click here. Avalanche danger levels are updated every day.
