Continuous News

UPDATE: Missing Skiers found safe after caught in an avalanche

Posted: Feb 10, 2013 3:52 PM by MTN News
Updated: Feb 10, 2013 3:52 PM

The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office received a report or 2 overdue backcountry skiers on Saturday night around 10:35.

The 2 male skiers, one from Big Timber and one from Idaho, planned to ski the Blackmore Trail near Hyalite Dam and were expected back that evening.

Approximately 30 Search and Rescue Volunteers responded but the snow and wind prevented them from doing a complete search that evening. SAR resumed the search around 5:30 Sunday morning.

According to a press release from Gallatin County, the skiers reported that they triggered an avalanche and one was swept down a couple hundred vertical feet.

Although both skiers were reportedly okay, one lost a ski and was not able to make the descent.

The two decided to stay the night but were unable to light a fire due to high winds. The skiers sought shelter behind a rock and hiked out the following morning.

The skiers were located around 8:30 a.m. as they were making their way down the mountain. They reportedly refused transport to the hospital.

Sheriff Gootkin stated the skiers did several things right like letting someone know where they were going and what time they expected to be back. Also they went with a partner which is often the single most important survival skill.