Wyoming Backcountry Avalanche Hits Skiers, Nurse Killed

A nurse has died and one person was injured after an avalanche hit a group of skiers in western Wyoming.

Why It Matters

The death of Kenneth Goff, 36, of Lander, Wyoming, marks the fifth fatality caused by an avalanche in the U.S. so far this winter, pointing to significant concerns over the safety of mountain visitors this year.

What To Know

The group of skiers Goff was in triggered the large snowslide while ascending a mountain in a backcountry area around 20 miles east of Grand Teton National Park.

A moose crosses the prairie while clouds cover mountains as the sun rises in the Grand Tetons National Park, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in Moose, Wyoming. A nurse has died and one person was injured... Wade Payne/AP

The group of four people were ascending a steep 40° slope at an elevation of 10,400 feet when a large slab of snow about five feet thick broke away and slid, fully burying the victim and partially burying a second skier, according to Teton County Search and Rescue and the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center.

Authorities were alerted just before noon but it took rescuers almost four hours to reach the scene by skis, after a helicopter had to turn back because of stormy weather.

Goff was a nurse with extensive wilderness experience, including serving on Lander's search and rescue team.

Since 2017, he had taught climbing and mountaineering courses as an instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School, a representative confirmed Sunday.

The second victim suffered leg injuries.

There have been 39 avalanches in the same mountain range in the last two weeks, according to the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center.

Of these, 24 were triggered by humans.

Dangerous Avalanche Warnings Across U.S.

Montana, Utah, Idaho and Colorado are under a "high" danger warning for avalanches from Monday, and for some regions, into Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Recent heavy snowfall combined with strong winds has resulted in widespread unstable snow conditions.

The NWS advises avoiding slopes steeper than 30 degrees and carrying avalanche rescue equipment, warning that both natural and human-triggered avalanches are highly likely.

Snowstorms Hit Wyoming

A series of snowstorms swept through Wyoming in recent weeks, including one on Saturday, said NWS forecaster Jason Straub.

Winter storm warnings and weather advisories were in place for 23 states from the NWS as of early Monday, as cold temperatures were expected across much of the central and eastern U.S.

States under winter weather advisories included Wyoming.

Who Said What

Sarah Martin, NOLS Rocky Mountain campus director, said "Kenny was calm and caring, chronically positive, a climbing partner to many, and a friend to all." She added "He will be sorely missed."

Kelsy Been, Public Information Officer at Colorado Avalanche Information Center, told Newsweek via phone on Monday that there have been 1,393 reported avalanches this season and 170 avalanches reported since Friday.

"Data from the last 10 years shows a spike in natural avalanches this time of year," Been said, noting that "every year is unique."

NWS meteorologist Linda Cheng in the Salt Lake City office told Newsweek: "We've been snowing on and off since Christmas," adding that "it can happen this time of year." She continued "Most of the snow has been in the mountains, which contributes to a higher avalanche risk."

What Happens Next

The Arctic polar vortex is forecast to push frigid winds across much of the U.S. in the coming weeks.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press