Яндекс.Метрика
2025-01-06

Backcountry Skier Killed by Avalanche on Togwotee Pass, WY





An avalanche on Togwotee Pass, Wyoming, killed a backcountry skier on Saturday, January 4. Kenneth Goff, 36, of Lander, died when a group of four skiers triggered a slide in the Breccia Cliffs area.



Related: SnowBrains Podcast Ep. 73 | Dr. Ethan Greene – Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center



The  avalanche, with a five-foot crown, fully buried Goff and partially buried another skier, who suffered a leg injury. An iPhone satellite text alerted Teton County Search & Rescue (TCSAR) around noon.

“We are deeply saddened to report that a skier has died as a result of an avalanche on Togwotee Pass on Saturday, January 4, 2025. More details about the accident will emerge following an investigation by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center.

Just before noon on Saturday, Teton County Search & Rescue was called to respond to a known avalanche burial on Togwotee Pass. The emergency alert came in via iPhone satellite text-to-911, but it was unclear whether the avalanche involved snowmobilers or skiers. For anyone using this relatively new function, please include the nature of your emergency, mechanism of injury, and number of people in your party. Including that info can help first responders efficiently develop solutions to the problems.

Initial reports indicated that a group of four was in the Breccia Cliffs area when they triggered an avalanche. As TCSAR mobilized, the team learned that it was a party of four skiers who’d triggered the slide as they were ascending a skin track. The avalanche partially buried one skier and fully buried another. The partially buried skier sustained a lower leg injury.

TCSAR responded with teams in the helicopter, on snowmobiles, and on skis. The helicopter team lifted off but returned when weather conditions did not permit an air response. The snowmobile team was also unable to reach the party of skiers due to the challenging conditions.

A team of skiers from TCSAR approached the area on skins and were able to get on scene at approximately 3:47 p.m. They began to apply treatment to the injured skier and remaining members of the party. The volunteers also worked to begin recovering the deceased skier for transport out of the backcountry. The volunteers worked into the evening, skiing the injured skier out of the backcountry in a litter to a waiting ambulance from Grand Teton National Park. The team also skied the deceased skier out via a sked. This serves as an important reminder of how much longer a mission can take when the helicopter is grounded, and is another factor to consider in your backcountry planning should an accident occur.

TCSAR extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased skier.”

– Teton County SAR

Rescue efforts faced setbacks. Poor weather grounded helicopters, while difficult terrain blocked snowmobiles. TCSAR skiers reached the scene at 3:47 p.m., four hours after the alert.

Rescuers worked into the evening, evacuating the injured skier by litter and Goff’s body by sled.

“One skier died, and another was injured in an avalanche in terrain accessed from Togwotee Pass. TCSAR responded to the accident. More information will be posted as it becomes available. The avalanche center staff sends its sincere condolences to the family, friends, and rescuers involved in this tragic event.”

– Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center



The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC) had rated the danger “moderate” that day, warning of possible slides on weak layers 1-3 feet deep.

“It is possible to trigger an avalanche on weak layers buried 1-3 feet deep. These avalanches can be triggered remotely – from above, below, or adjacent to slopes over 30°. Stay alert on steep rocky slopes and areas drifted by the wind. The safest and best riding can be found on sheltered terrain less than 30°.”

– BTAC forecast for Saturday, January 4

TCSAR stressed the need for detailed information in emergency alerts, including injury specifics and group size.

The incident marks this winter’s fifth avalanche fatality in North America.



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