Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Jed Boal ReportingAn avalanche this weekend claimed the first victim of the season, and the risk of more slides continues. As snow piles up today, avalanche danger remains high and more big slides are likely in the days ahead.
Utah County crews called off their search for the buried showshoer yesterday and cannot safely look for his body while this weather continues. That's a clear indication of just how dangerous conditions are right now in the backcountry.
The avalanche on the back side of Mount Timpanogos is like slides all across the Wasatch Front and the Uinta Mountains.
Drew Hardesty, Utah Avalanche Center: "Because so much has come in so quickly, it's been enough to break the camel's back."
The avalanche buried a Salt Lake snowshoer. Due to the danger in the area, searchers may not look for his body for weeks or months.
Drew Hardesty: "In the past week, we've had an amazing whallup of new snow."
Drew Hardesty of the Utah Avalanche Center says avalanche forecasters closely monitor storms in terms of water content.
Drew Hardesty: "We've had four to five inches of water, which is tremendous, averaging out to five to six feet of snow combined with the wind for an unbelievable avalanche cycle."
Up in the canyons the storm got started early. Right now, four wheel drive or chains are required. The sheriff's office responded to numerous slide-offs as the roads got sloppy. Most backcountry skiers and snowmobilers have heeded the avalanche warnings.
Josh Beckstrom, Snowboarder: "Folks have been going to ski resorts or sticking to low angle terrain or the ridges to not put themselves in avalanche prone terrain."
Snowboarders in Park City recognized this was a good day to stay in bounds.
Josh Beckstrom, Snowboarder: "You gotta call the avalanche center; that's the biggest thing to do. I can't remember the number, that's the biggest help if you're going out in the backcountry."
You can expect avalanche danger tomorrow will remain high.
Utah Avalanche Center Recorded Advisories:
(801) 364-1581 Salt Lake
(801) 364-1591 Salt Lake 6am detailed
(801) 742-0830 Little Cottonwood Canyon
(435) 658-5512 Park City
(801) 626-8600 Ogden
(801) 422-4333 Provo
