Doctor killed in avalanche triggered by girlfriend in Lost River Range

US News

From Katherine Donlevy

A backcountry skier died on an Idaho mountain Friday in an avalanche triggered by his girlfriend, according to a report.

The friend desperately dug her boyfriend out of the 5-foot layer of snow, but he did not survive the accident, according to the Sawtooth Avalanche Center’s preliminary report.

The couple – both experienced backcountry skiers – were descending Donaldson Peak in Idaho’s Lost River Range when the tragedy occurred, officials said.

The friend, who has not been named, had taken off her skis and was walking down part of the mountain when she triggered a small avalanche.

She was swept away by the snow avalanche, triggering a second, much larger avalanche that cascaded over her partner.

After calling for help, she used her rescue tool and probe wand to find her friend, who was trapped under 1.5 meters of snow.

Using a shovel, she managed to free him from the snow and begin CPR.

“Search and rescue teams responded and evacuated Skier 1, but he did not survive the accident,” the Sawtooth Avalanche Center said.

None of the skiers were named in the report, but sources told Ski Magazine that the victim was a local emergency medical technician who was skiing with his girlfriend.

The tragedy occurred just a day after two skiers, ages 23 and 32, died in an avalanche in Utah’s Lone Peak Canyon.

A third skier who was caught in the snow slide was able to free himself from the snow and is in good condition.

At least 16 people died in avalanches last winter, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. In the United States, an average of 30 people die from snow slides each year.

Avalanche safety experts say their work has become more difficult in recent years as climate change brings extreme weather conditions.