Jackson Hole Avalanche Kills Splitboarder

Heavy snow and high winds has lead to a heightened risk of slab avalanches. [Photo] Jason Hickey

JACKSON, WYO. A splitboarder hiking on pyramid path, located in the southern part of the Teton Range off Pyramid Peak, was killed in an avalanche yesterday, January 19. The splitboarder and Jackson resident, identified as Jed Wesley Foster, 30, was caught in a slide estimated to be roughly two feet deep at the crown, according to the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center. The avalanche carried Foster approximately 1,800 feet.

A witness to the slide called Teton Search and Rescue shortly before 1:00 p.m., per the Jackson Hole News and Guide, and the search team was able to divert a helicopter en route to training in Teton Village to the search. Foster was completely buried, with the exception of this splitboard, which was visible at the toe of the slide. The search party was able to extract Foster from the slide using short haul tactics.

The Bridger Teton Avalanche Center notes that this eastern-facing path also had natural activity in late December, and that a nearby slope that also slid in December, Horseshoe Bowl, had avalanche activity on the 19^th as well. Four to five feet of snow have accumulated over the last week and continues to fall, “accompanied by a strong southwest to northwest wind,” notes the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center. They warn of easily triggered wind slabs at all elevations and aspects, adding that natural avalanche activity can be expected above 9,000 feet.

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To find out more about the avalanche activity in the Jackson Hole area, visit jhavalanche.org.

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