Preliminary Report: Two snowshoers were reported overdue after an outing on January 8, 2022. With information from the party's friends and family, deputies from the Summit County Sheriffs office, volunteers from the Summit County Rescue Group, and Flight for Life began searching an areas west of Hooiser Pass. They found a recent avalanche and a faint track in an area of interest on a flank of North Star Mountain. An avalanche rescue dog located both snowshoers and their dog, all of whom were completely buried by avalanche debris. All three were deceased.
The avalanche broke about 400 feet wide ran about 250 vertical feet and broke into old snow layers.
CAIC staff will visit the site on January 10 and will post a full report later this week.
Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and family and everyone affected by this tragic accident.