Anyone know anything about this? Ksl.com has it as breaking news. No further details though.
Anyone know anything about this? Ksl.com has it as breaking news. No further details though.
saw a rescue truck racing up bcc around noon. hope this is just the news jumping the gun.
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON -- The death of one male in an avalanche has been confirmed by local officials.
Three men were skiing and riding on Kessler Ridge, an area that drops into Mineral Fork Canyon near Big Cottonwood Canyon. As they reached the peak of the ridge around 11:30 a.m., the deceased male descended the slope first on his snowboard, triggering the avalanche and carrying him an estimated 2400 feet down the slope, completely burying the 25 year old under about 3 feet of snow.
The other two skiers, whose conditions were reported as "fine," had not been caught in the avalanche and began to search for their friend afterward. The two unharmed males switched their avalanche transceivers on to alert rescuers of the situation. By the time rescuers and Wasatch Backcountry Rescue arrived at the scene by helicopter, the two skiers had already found the man deceased. They were flown out of the canyon.
The three had reportedly headed to Kessler Peak, prepared for back country skiing.
"They had beacons and were prepared for the back country, but the backcountry conditions right now are just extremely dangerous," said Lt. Justin Hoyal of the Unified Police.
The death marks the ninth avalanche fatality in the West this season, and experts say the risk of additional slides could remain high all winter.
The Utah Avalanche Center reminded people to check avalanche conditions before heading out to back country, and that when dangers are high, to never venture beyond professionally groomed slopes.
Utah Avalanche Center director Bruce Tremper said the group of skiers was in an area that the public was warned to avoid after last week's snowstorms.
He said the center's latest advisory noted avalanche conditions were dangerous and urged the public to steer clear of steep slopes such as those found in the Kessler Peak area where the fatality occurred.
"We put out the information and people are free to use it however they want to," Tremper said. "Most people follow the advisory pretty closely."
Experts say a weak base layer of snow due to a dry winter, packed with large grains of ice that are loosely connected, is plaguing parts of Utah, Colorado, Montana and California, and could keep avalanche risks high for the rest of the season.
Of the West's nine avalanche deaths this season, four were in Colorado, three were along the Wyoming-Montana border, and two were in Utah, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. There were 25 deaths recorded last winter and 36 the season before. Written by ksl.com with contributions from the Associated Press.
Wow I never knew when I switch my beacon to search it 'alerts' rescue personnel. Who wrote this? RIP to the victim, very sad and way too young. Its so touchy this winter, I hope we'll get to ride up high at some point around here but I'm doubtful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tybee
RIP in Alecs.
Sad day when a mag goes down
RIP 88
Be safe out there homies
Fuck.Quote:
Originally Posted by tybee
Rip alec, that kid got after it and posted more stoke here then just about anyone. I didn't know him but many on here were friends and touring partners. :(
My condolences to friends and family.
Sent from my DROIDX using TGR Forums
damn this sucks. RIP Alecs. vibes to friends and family
RIP Alx88, 25 is much too young to go. Condolences out to everyone who knew him.
Awful news so sad to hear, condolences do his friends and family. Stay safe out there.
RIP Alecs, damn.
http://vimeo.com/31712228
RIP Alecshttp://vimeo.com/23195469
Sorry to hear this. Please be careful out there.
Sorry to hear. RIP Alec. Vibes to family and friends.
Horrible news. RIP Alec.
Shit, so sad. Sorry all who knew alx88.
+++
Condolences to family and friends. Too young indeed. RIP Alec. Take care out there everyone dragons are lurking.
That's terrible to hear. Only 25 that really sucks. A mag too! Vibes ++ to family and friends. To young to go down. Rip in peace
The Lone Peak video shows someone with a zest for life who got after it. Very sad news. RIP
Rest in Peace buddy. Be careful out there mags, lets not lose anymore damnit! :(
Awful ... rip Alec. Vibes for his loved ones :(
RIP alecs. didnt know him, but he was always posting some amazing stoke!
Sad news, again. Way too young.
RIP Alx88
++++vibes++++ to friends and family
Shit. Fuck.
R.I.P.
That sucks hard! RIP Alecs!
Was the problem layer the result of the storm that provided the snow for the first video?
This is fucking crazy, RIP to this young soul and my thoughts go out to his family. Being that this is my first full winter in the BC, I ‘m pretty shook up over all the death and mayhem this year. Not sure if most winter’s in the BC are like this or if becoming addicted to TGR this year has just shed light on all on these horrific avalanche deaths.
This jong says please be safe everyone, even though I don’t know any of you, it some how still feels personal.
RIP. Vibes to friends and family.
Sucks...RIP
RIP dude, I'll miss your stoke, I'm sure others will miss much more.
Condolences to friends and family.
This stuff happens every year, to experienced, inexperienced, and everyone in between. Nobody is immune to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by PowerWhore7
I had the kid in my class a couple of years ago. He knew his stuff...so many questions. Truly in shock right now. So sad. RIP.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trackhead
Too many deaths this year. He posted some amazing stoke. Condolences to those who knew him.
Slept in this morning, didn't get on the web until the afternoon, but heard about this from my fiance's mom (this made the news in CT). Got on TGR hoping it wasn't a mag. Fuck. So sorry to everyone who knew him. If any SLC mags who were friends with Alecs need anything, feel free to PM me. Such sad news.
The internet makes it more likely that you figure out that someone you know knows the deceased. However, if you keep backcountry skiing, you'll probably hear of an average of one death per year or every other year where someone you know knows the victim. And, occassionally it will be someone you actually know. And, sometime it might be someone in your party. Try to prevent that. However, no matter how hard you try, you will make mistakes. When that happens, the only thing that separates victims from those who had a scare from those who had a great day is sheer luck. But the same thing goes for driving on the interstate.Quote:
Originally Posted by PowerWhore7
Anyway, I came here to say rest in peace. Sounds like Mr. Barton loved to ride, and that makes him okay in my book.
^^ vibes to alecs family. stoke will be missed. hate these threads.
When you stick your head in the lions mouth, don't be surprised when he bites it off! Stuff like this should be a harsh reminder to us all that it can be a dangerous/deadly game we are playing. We all need to keep our eye on the ball to make sure incedences like this are few and far between. Read up on your local avie bulletin and don't go if the danger is too high. I love ripping pow, but it ain't worth dying over. Play it safe!Quote:
Originally Posted by PowerWhore7
RIP Alex
Tread lightly snow children! master mabe looking 4 new groomers. YEP great new tar..CAREFUL
Ah shit. Rip. That sucks. Condolences to everyone involved. At least ksl didn't call them "extreme" skiers, even if they have no idea how a tranceiver is different than a spot.
Again, vibes to all the mags and family who knew him.
Sent from my DROID2
Damn, saw the chopper up the canyon there yesterday afternoon.
Sucks to hear that.
RIP.
R I P .best wishes to friends ,family....but, captain hindsight should be all over this one;hiked a slide zone!? to access an avalanche chute?!