TETON VILLAGE, Wyo. — Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) has shared striking photos of avalanche activity that occurred in the Tetons over the weekend.
According to a Facebook post by the agency, TCSAR’s helicopter team was mobilized on the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 20, by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) Ski Patrol to search a large avalanche on the Jersey Shore, cliffs near the top of Rock Springs drainage south of JHMR’s boundaries.
Neither Ski Patrol nor TCSAR detected any human activity at the site after searching the debris pile and using a helicopter beacon, the agency said. The helicopter team did not see tracks heading in or out the path, suggesting to TCSAR that the avalanche was released naturally or was triggered remotely. They also noted avalanches in Granite Canyon, where the helicopter beacon picked up no signals.
“These photos help demonstrate the sketchy situation in our current snowpack, and how you really don’t want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” TCSAR said on Facebook. “If you must recreate in the backcountry, please be conservative in your route selections. This includes the lift-served backcountry at our three ski areas, and make absolutely sure you check the daily avalanche forecast with the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center. Thanks to JHMR Ski Patrol for the great partnership. We are grateful that no one was caught in this big avalanche.”
This year’s snowpack is uniquely precarious for backcountry users. Exercise caution when planning recreation.
