CAIC

Avalanche Details

Location: Donaldson Peak, Lost River Range
State: Idaho
Date: 2024/05/10
Time: 12:00 AM (Estimated)
Summary Description: One backcountry skier caught, buried, and killed
Primary Activity: Backcountry Tourer
Primary Travel Mode: Ski

Number

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

Avalanche

Type: U
Trigger: AF - Foot penetration
Trigger (subcode): u - An unintentional release
Size - Relative to Path: --
Size - Destructive Force: --
Sliding Surface: --

Site

Slope Aspect: SE
Site Elevation: 11600 ft
Slope Angle: --
Slope Characteristic: --

Accident Summary

PRELIMINARY REPORT: On Friday May 10, two experienced backcountry skiers were traveling on Donaldson Peak in Idaho’s Lost River Range. While downclimbing to their ski descent, Skier 1 triggered and was caught in a small wind slab avalanche. The slide carried Skier 1 downhill, triggering a second and larger avalanche. Skier 2 used a satellite communication device to call for help before descending the avalanche path. She located Skier 1 with her rescue transceiver and probe pole. Skier 1 was buried under at least 5 feet of snow. She dug Skier 1 out of the snow with her shovel and began CPR. Search and rescue teams responded and evacuated Skier 1, but he did not survive the accident.

Media

Images

<b>Figure 1:</b> The accident occured on Donaldson Peak in Idaho's Lost River Range. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://classic.avalanche.state.co.us/caic/media/full/acc_879_52642.jpg','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 2:</b> Looking up the avalanche that killed a backcountry skier on May 10, 2024 (Courtesy of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center). (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://classic.avalanche.state.co.us/caic/media/full/acc_879_52643.jpg','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)