An avalanche on Togwotee Move, Wyoming, killed a backcountry skier on Saturday, January 4. Kenneth Goff, 36, of Lander, died when a gaggle of 4 skiers triggered a slide within the Breccia Cliffs space.
The avalanche, with a five-foot crown, absolutely buried Goff and partially buried one other skier, who suffered a leg harm. An iPhone satellite tv for pc textual content alerted Teton County Search & Rescue (TCSAR) round midday.
“We’re deeply saddened to report {that a} skier has died on account of an avalanche on Togwotee Move on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Extra particulars in regards to the accident will emerge following an investigation by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Heart.
Simply earlier than midday on Saturday, Teton County Search & Rescue was referred to as to answer a identified avalanche burial on Togwotee Move. The emergency alert got here in by way of iPhone satellite tv for pc text-to-911, nevertheless it was unclear whether or not the avalanche concerned snowmobilers or skiers. For anybody utilizing this comparatively new perform, please embrace the character of your emergency, mechanism of harm, and variety of individuals in your get together. Together with that data may help first responders effectively develop options to the issues.
Preliminary studies indicated {that a} group of 4 was within the Breccia Cliffs space after they triggered an avalanche. As TCSAR mobilized, the staff realized that it was a celebration of 4 skiers who’d triggered the slide as they had been ascending a pores and skin observe. The avalanche partially buried one skier and absolutely buried one other. The partially buried skier sustained a decrease leg harm.
TCSAR responded with groups within the helicopter, on snowmobiles, and on skis. The helicopter staff lifted off however returned when climate situations didn’t allow an air response. The snowmobile staff was additionally unable to achieve the get together of skiers as a result of difficult situations.
A staff of skiers from TCSAR approached the realm on skins and had been in a position to get on scene at roughly 3:47 p.m. They started to use therapy to the injured skier and remaining members of the get together. The volunteers additionally labored to start recovering the deceased skier for transport out of the backcountry. The volunteers labored into the night, snowboarding the injured skier out of the backcountry in a litter to a ready ambulance from Grand Teton Nationwide Park. The staff additionally skied the deceased skier out by way of a sked. This serves as an necessary reminder of how for much longer a mission can take when the helicopter is grounded, and is one other issue to think about in your backcountry planning ought to an accident happen.
TCSAR extends its most honest condolences to the household and pals of the deceased skier.”
– Teton County SAR
Rescue efforts confronted setbacks. Poor climate grounded helicopters, whereas troublesome terrain blocked snowmobiles. TCSAR skiers reached the scene at 3:47 p.m., 4 hours after the alert.
Rescuers labored into the night, evacuating the injured skier by litter and Goff’s physique by sled.
“One skier died, and one other was injured in an avalanche in terrain accessed from Togwotee Move. TCSAR responded to the accident. Extra info shall be posted because it turns into obtainable. The avalanche heart workers sends its honest condolences to the household, pals, and rescuers concerned on this tragic occasion.”
– Bridger-Teton Avalanche Heart
The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Heart (BTAC) had rated the hazard “reasonable” that day, warning of doable slides on weak layers 1-3 ft deep.
“It’s doable to set off an avalanche on weak layers buried 1-3 ft deep. These avalanches might be triggered remotely – from above, under, or adjoining to slopes over 30°. Keep alert on steep rocky slopes and areas drifted by the wind. The most secure and greatest driving might be discovered on sheltered terrain lower than 30°.”
– BTAC forecast for Saturday, January 4
TCSAR confused the necessity for detailed info in emergency alerts, together with harm specifics and group measurement.
The incident marks this winter’s fifth avalanche fatality in North America.
