LOGAN — An avalanche caught two snowmobilers, completely burying one, in Logan Canyon. The slide was reported Dec. 24, in the Steep Hollow area of Franklin Basin.
According to the Utah Avalanche Center, one of the sledders was riding across a bowl beneath a band of cliffs when he triggered the avalanche. He saw the slope rippling below and around his sled, but was able to ride out of it.
The man reportedly watched as the slide swept up his brother, who was standing next to his sled below the slope. The avalanche carried the rider approximately 150 yards and fully buried him.
Buried sled from a human triggered avalanche in the Steep Hollow area of Franklin Basin, Dec. 24, 2024.
The man was able to use a transceiver to get close enough to his brother, finding a couple fingers of a gloved hand sticking out of the snow. After digging him out, the rider, who sustained only minor injuries, was able to ride out of the backcountry on his own.
Utah Avalanche Forecaster Toby Weed said the avalanche danger in the Logan area is “considerable on northerly facing slopes at upper elevations.”
Those heading into the mountains can trigger dangerous slab avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer buried one to two feet deep. Avalanches could be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below.
Officials said heightened conditions are found on all other upper-elevation slopes, slopes facing west, north and east, at mid-elevations, and in lower-elevation terrain where rain has saturated the shallow snow.
Weed recommends those going into the backcountry be careful and evaluate the snowpack and your route. Also, avoid drifted upper-elevation slopes steeper than 30° and error on the side of caution when riding.