The Christmas Eve snowmobiling adventure of two brothers in Utah’s backcountry took a perilous turn when a roaring avalanche swept one of them away, burying him under the snow. The incident unfolded in the Steep Hollow area of Franklin Basin, Cache County, a region known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable snow conditions. The brothers, identified as Braeden and Hunter Hansen, were enjoying their holiday outing when the snowpack suddenly gave way, engulfing Hunter in a torrent of snow and carrying him a harrowing 150 yards down the mountainside. Fortunately, both brothers were equipped with avalanche transceivers, a vital piece of safety equipment that proved instrumental in Hunter’s survival.
Braeden, witnessing the terrifying spectacle of his brother being swept away by the avalanche, immediately sprang into action. Utilizing his transceiver, he began a desperate search for Hunter, his heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. The transceiver’s signal, cutting through the snowy silence, guided him closer and closer to Hunter’s location. As he neared the burial site, a chilling sight met his eyes – a gloved hand, barely visible, protruding from the snowpack, a stark reminder of the life-or-death situation unfolding before him.
With the urgency of the situation fully realized, Braeden frantically dug into the snow, his every movement fueled by the desperate hope of finding his brother alive. The snow, dense and unforgiving, made the task arduous, but the faint signal from the transceiver and the sight of Hunter’s hand served as a constant motivator. Finally, after what must have seemed like an eternity, he reached Hunter’s head, which was buried approximately two feet beneath the snow. Quickly clearing the snow away from his brother’s face and removing his helmet, Braeden allowed Hunter to gasp his first breaths of fresh air.
The ordeal, however, was far from over. Hunter’s body remained trapped beneath the heavy snowpack. Braeden, now working against both time and the elements, continued to dig, painstakingly freeing his brother from the icy grip of the avalanche. The relief that washed over him as he finally unearthed Hunter must have been immense. Despite the harrowing experience and the close brush with death, Hunter miraculously sustained only minor injuries.
Once Hunter was freed, the brothers faced another challenge – navigating their way out of the treacherous backcountry. Doubling up on one snowmobile, they carefully made their descent, leaving behind the scene of the near-tragedy. Their Christmas Eve adventure had transformed into a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, a lesson etched into their memories by the unforgiving landscape of the Utah mountains. The brothers’ tale serves as a powerful testament to the importance of safety preparedness, the effectiveness of avalanche safety equipment, and the strength of familial bonds in the face of adversity.
This incident underscores the inherent dangers of backcountry recreation, particularly during winter conditions. The Utah Avalanche Center, in its incident report, noted the presence of a “persistent weak layer” in the snowpack at the avalanche site, a condition that can contribute to instability and increase the risk of avalanches. The elevation of approximately 9,000 feet further exacerbated the danger, as higher altitudes are often associated with more volatile snow conditions. Toby Weed, a forecaster with the Utah Avalanche Center, emphasized the importance of checking avalanche forecasts before venturing into the backcountry, a precaution that could have prevented this near-fatal incident. He stressed that the avalanche danger on the day of the incident was considerable, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and preparedness. The brothers’ experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting the power of nature and taking necessary precautions when venturing into mountainous terrain, especially during winter.
