Report: Fatal avalanche was deep, powerful

Report: Fatal avalanche was deep, powerful


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LOGAN, Utah (AP) -- A preliminary report says the avalanche that killed two experienced snowmobilers on Logan Peak was about 2,000 feet wide and powerful enough to damage mature trees.

Erik Jorgensen, 22, of Paradise, and Jesse Johnson, 23, of Hyrum died Wednesday when the deep slab of snow gave way while they were snowmobiling near the peak's east summit.

The preliminary report by the Utah Avalanche Center says one of the men was buried 10 to 12 feet deep in debris.

The center says weather conditions and weak layers of snow contributed to the avalanche.

Dangerous conditions in portions of Utah's mountain backcountry are expected to persist through the weekend.

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Information from: The Herald Journal

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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