Search teams have successfully retrieved the bodies of two backcountry skiers who tragically lost their lives in an avalanche outside Salt Lake City. The victims, identified as 23-year-old Andrew Cameron from Utah and 32-year-old Austin Mallet from Montana, were caught in the snowslide on Thursday morning in the Lone Peak area of the Wasatch Range.
After an intense search effort, authorities located the bodies of Cameron and Mallet on Friday morning. Their remains were airlifted off the mountain and transported to the medical examiner’s office.
The avalanche was triggered by recent heavy snowfall and strong winds earlier in the week, exacerbating the already high avalanche risk in the region, explained Craig Gordon, an avalanche forecaster with the U.S. Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center. Unpredictable spring weather further complicated conditions, with rapid changes in weather patterns contributing to the heightened danger.
The three skiers, including an individual who managed to call for help after being partially buried, were navigating a ridge on a slope known as Big Willow Aprons when the avalanche struck, according to preliminary reports from the avalanche center.
Despite the valiant efforts of rescuers, the recovery operation was hindered by challenging weather conditions. Alan Bergstrom, one of the rescuers involved, acknowledged the difficulty of leaving loved ones on the mountain during the recovery process.
The victims’ families were present at the search staging area, adding to the emotional weight of the operation for both rescuers and loved ones. The close-knit group of friends had not intended to ski the face where the avalanche occurred but had plans to ski in other areas on the day of the incident.
The avalanche, which broke approximately 2 feet deep and 250 feet across, slid down about 500 feet, highlighting the treacherous conditions in the Lone Peak area.
Lone Peak is renowned for its challenging terrain, drawing experienced backcountry skiers and climbers to its steep slopes and rugged landscape. While the victims were confirmed to be experienced skiers, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with backcountry activities.
With these fatalities, the number of avalanche-related deaths in the U.S. this winter has reached 15, according to the Utah Avalanche Information Center, underscoring the importance of caution and preparedness in mountainous environments.
