Avalanches in Washington and Idaho Claim Two Lives in Separate Incidents

Two separate avalanches in Washington and Idaho have resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals, according to authorities.

Washington Avalanche

On Friday, a devastating avalanche occurred on Darland Mountain in the Cascade Mountain Range, west of Yakima, Washington. The Northwest Avalanche Center reported that two snowmobilers were riding in the area when the avalanche was triggered at an elevation of approximately 6,600 feet. Tragically, one of the riders was fully buried and did not survive the avalanche. The victim's identity has not been disclosed.

Idaho Avalanche

In a separate incident, a group of snowmobilers in the southern Selkirk mountains, near the Pack River drainage in Boundary County, Idaho, encountered an avalanche around 1:30 p.m. local time. Regrettably, one member of the group lost their life in this tragic event. The deceased snowmobiler has been identified as Lance J. Gidley, aged 54, from Sandpoint, Idaho.

The Boundary County Sheriff’s office and Boundary County Search and Rescue conducted rescue operations, successfully rescuing three individuals. However, their efforts were hindered by high avalanche danger and severe winter weather, leading to a delay until the subsequent day. Eventually, they managed to recover Gidley’s body during their search operations.

Witnesses' Accounts

Witnesses described the harrowing experience of narrowly surviving the sudden avalanche in Idaho. A companion of the snowmobiler recounted being barely able to outrun the avalanche on their snowmobile. Tragically, the snowmobiler, who was equipped with an avalanche beacon, was found deceased underneath the snow during the subsequent search.

Law enforcement has issued a warning, urging the public to refrain from accessing the Fault Lake trail area due to potential hazards.

National Avalanche Statistics

The recent fatalities in Washington and Idaho contribute to the concerning statistics of avalanche-related deaths across the United States. As per Avalanche.org, the current year has witnessed 10 fatalities in various states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming. These tragedies encompass casualties from skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling activities.

Furthermore, data from Avalanche.org reveals that the total number of avalanche-related fatalities in the U.S. during the initial three months of the year stands at 10. These fatalities are part of a total of 30 recorded across the country during the 2022-2023 season.

The U.S. Forest Service Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center is conducting an investigation into the avalanche-related fatality in Idaho, extending their sympathies to the affected families and friends. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center also expressed condolences and highlighted the severity of the ongoing avalanche risks.