Huge avalanche kills 2 backcountry skiers in Tetons

A photo provided by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center snows the scope of the avalanche that killed two men who were backcountry skiing in Teton National Park. PHOTO COURTESY TETON NATIONAL PARK. AND BRIDGER-TETON AVALANCHE CENTER.

Total of 27 deaths for the season to-date

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center reports that two men were killed by a massive backcountry avalanche on Ranger Peak in Grand Teton National Park.

According to the preliminary report, the avalanche was triggered while they were climbing the route.

The bodies of Steve Romeo and Chris Onufer were recovered Thursday after searchers located the victims by pinpointing signals emitted by their avalanche rescue beacons. Romeo and Onufer were well-known and experienced local mountaineers.

The two deaths brought the total number of avalanche fatalities to 27 for the winter across the country, including 12 skiers, nine snowmobilers and five snowboarders.Three of the deadly accidents have been within ski resort boundaries. (more…)

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 5,552 other followers