1 person killed in large avalanche in western Wyoming backcountry
An avalanche killed one skier and injured another after the group they were in triggered the large snowslide while ascending a mountain in western Wyoming.
JACKSON, Wyo. — An avalanche killed one skier and injured another after the group they were in triggered the large snowslide while ascending a mountain in western Wyoming.
The avalanche happened Saturday in a backcountry area about 20 miles east of Grand Teton National Park.
As the group of four people went up a steep slope at an elevation of 10,400 feet, a large slab of snow about 5 feet thick broke away and slid, fully burying the victim and partially burying a second skier, according to Teton County Search and Rescue and the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center.
Authorities received an alert about the accident just before noon. It took rescuers almost four hours to reach the scene by skis after a helicopter tried to reach the site but had to turn around because of stormy weather.
Kenneth Goff, 36, of Lander, Wyoming, was killed, said Teton County Coroner Brent Blue. The second victim suffered leg injuries.
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