The festive spirit of Christmas Eve took a perilous turn for two brothers snowmobiling in the Steep Hollow area of Franklin Basin, Cache County, Utah. Their exhilarating ride amidst the snowy landscape transformed into a life-threatening ordeal when one of them inadvertently triggered an avalanche. This cascade of snow, propelled by gravity and the unstable terrain, swept the unsuspecting brother down the mountainside, carrying him an estimated 150 yards before completely burying him beneath the icy blanket.
The incident, a chilling reminder of the unpredictable nature of backcountry adventures, unfolded in an area identified as having a “persistent weak layer” by the Utah Avalanche Center. This underlying instability in the snowpack, often invisible to the untrained eye, creates a precarious environment prone to avalanches, particularly when disturbed by external factors like the weight of a snowmobile. The high elevation of approximately 9,000 feet further exacerbated the situation, as steeper slopes and thinner air contribute to increased avalanche risk.
Fortunately, the buried brother’s companion was equipped with a transceiver, a critical piece of safety gear that emits and receives radio signals, enabling the location of buried individuals. Guided by the faint signal, the brother navigated the snow-covered terrain, his heart pounding with each passing moment. His persistence paid off when he spotted a subtle clue – the barely visible fingers of a gloved hand protruding from the snow. This small sign of life spurred him into action, fueling his desperate efforts to unearth his buried brother.
Recounting the harrowing experience to NBC News, Braeden Hansen described the moment of discovery, his voice tinged with relief and residual fear. He recalled seeing his brother Hunter’s gloved hand waving weakly above the snow’s surface. By the time he reached Hunter, he was almost completely submerged, his head buried under approximately two feet of snow. Working quickly, Braeden cleared the snow from Hunter’s head, removing his helmet to allow him to breathe. He then tirelessly dug his brother’s body out from the suffocating grip of the snowpack.
Following the dramatic rescue, the brothers, shaken but incredibly fortunate, doubled up on one snowmobile and made their way out of the backcountry. While Hunter sustained minor injuries, the outcome could have been tragically different. This near-miss serves as a stark reminder of the importance of avalanche safety awareness and the crucial role of preparedness in backcountry activities.
Reflecting on the incident, Toby Weed, a forecaster at the Utah Avalanche Center, emphasized the brothers’ sheer luck, underscoring the critical importance of checking avalanche forecasts before venturing into the backcountry. He pointed out that the avalanche danger on that fateful Christmas Eve was rated as “considerable,” the same rating in effect for the Logan area at the time of his interview. This highlights the dynamic nature of avalanche conditions and the need for constant vigilance. Weed urged backcountry enthusiasts to always consult the avalanche forecast and equip themselves with appropriate safety gear, including transceivers, shovels, and probes. He stressed that these precautions, combined with proper training in avalanche safety, can significantly mitigate the risks associated with backcountry travel, transforming a potentially deadly situation into a story of survival. The incident also highlights the vital role of quick thinking and decisive action in emergency situations. The surviving brother’s immediate use of the transceiver and his swift efforts to unearth his sibling undoubtedly saved a life.
