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Skier caught in Utah Avalanche

Skier caught in Utah Avalanche

Published : 14-Dec-2009 08:15

KSL report that an avalanche caught a group of skiers in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

A group of skiers accidentally triggered an avalanche near Cardiac Ridge Saturday.

According to the Utah Avalanche Center, the group was breaking a trail in the area just after 7 p.m. As they approached the top of the ridge, they triggered the avalanche about 100 feet above them. The last skier got caught in the slide and ended up buried in more than two feet of snow.


Fortunately he was located, by an exposed ski pole, and dug out within minutes.

Worth noting that the group had not thought there was enough fresh snow to avalanche;

The skiers said they felt several collapses before the avalanche but didn't think there was enough snow to cause one. Officials said the wind was blowing snow near the ridge, and it's likely a wind slab collapsed on the unpacked snow.

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