Saddle Peak, Montana – On Saturday, April 14, 2018 a 39-year-old backcountry skier from Bozeman was killed in an avalanche on Saddle Peak south of Bridger Bowl Ski area and outside of the ski area boundaries in the Bridger Range near Bozeman, Montana.
The avalanche occurred around 11 AM. It was reported by a skier who was riding the chairlift who saw the slide occur. Search and rescue along with avalanche dogs responded to the scene. Unfortunately the skier did not survive.
According to the Friends Of The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, the slide was 1-3′ deep, 75-100′ wide. The victim was carried 1500′ down the path. Here is the Facebook post:
We will try to update this post when more information is available.
UPDATE 4/15:
- The GNFAC 4/15 advisory include more details about the fatality. Ski Patrol responded to the scene. They picked up a transceiver signal near the toe of the debris and found the victim’s gloved hand sticking out of the snow. It took roughly 75 minutes from avalanche to extrication.
- The follow video from the AvalancheGuys includes more details about the avalanche off of the North Summit of Saddle Peak. The slide took place on an east aspect at 9019 feet on a 37 degree slope. It was 1500 feet from crown to burial location. There were 3 feet of snow since Wednesday. The slide propagated on an ice crust. He did not have a partner.
- BillingsGazette.com identified the victim as 39-year-old Anthony Saracelli of Bozeman.
UPDATE 4/20:
- Here is the final GNFAC avalanche fatality report.
See Also:Global Avalanche Accidents 2017/2018
