CAIC: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

2024/02/09 - Wyoming - West Fork of Haskins Creek, west of Battle Pass

Published 2024/02/10 by Spencer Logan - Forecaster, CAIC


Avalanche Details

  • Location: West Fork of Haskins Creek, west of Battle Pass
  • State: Wyoming
  • Date: 2024/02/09
  • Time: 12:00 AM (Estimated)
  • Summary Description: 2 snowmobilers caught, 1 partially buried-critical and killed
  • Primary Activity: Snowmobiler
  • Primary Travel Mode: Snowmobile

Number

  • Caught: 2
  • Fully Buried: 0
  • Injured: 0
  • Killed: 1

Avalanche

  • Type: HS
  • Trigger: AM - Snowmobile
  • Trigger (subcode): u - An unintentional release
  • Size - Relative to Path: R3
  • Size - Destructive Force: D2
  • Sliding Surface: O - Within Old Snow

Site

  • Slope Aspect: E
  • Site Elevation: 10400 ft
  • Slope Angle: --
  • Slope Characteristic: No Trees

Accident Summary

PRELIMINARY: Two snowmobilers were riding in Haskins Creek, west of Battle Pass in the Sierra Madre range. They triggered an avalanche while riding on the lower portion of an open, east-facing slope. The avalanche broke two to eight feet deep and very wide. Both riders were caught. Rider 1 rode out of the moving debris and turned to see that Rider 2 was partially buried-critical, with his feet in the air and head below the debris. Rider 1 dug his partner free and performed CPR, but Rider 2 did not survive.

Observation on Eastern Wyoming Avalanche Information Exchange

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