January 2016: One Of The Deadliest Months On Record For US Avalanche Fatalities

January 2016 Was A Tragic Month For Avalanche Fatalities Around The World

So far, 16 people have died in avalanches in the United States during the the 2015/2016 season. There are at least three others who are currently missing in avalanche terrain and they may not be found until spring when the snow melts. It’s tragic.

Avalanches are not discriminatory. These powerful, natural killers will take down anyone in their path. A recent Teton Gravity Research article shines the spotlight on the fact that January 2016 was one of the deadliest months for avalanches in years. According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, 13 people died in avalanches in 12 different avalanche incidents in the US in January 2016.

US Avalanche Fatalities In January 2016:

1. 1/31/16 – Wasatch Mountains, UT – 1 Skier
2. 1/31/16 – Twin Lakes, ID – 1 Snowmobiler
3. 1/24/16 – Mt. Herman, WA – 1 Skier
4. 1/24/16 – Jackson Hole Backcountry, WY – 2 Skiers
5. 1/23/16 – Whitefish Range, MT – 1 Snowmobiler
6. 1/21/16 – Crested Butte, CO – 1 Snowmobiler
7. 1/21/16 – Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT – 1 Skier
8. 1/19/16 – Cedar Basin, MT – 1 Skier
9. 1/19/16 – The Pyramid, WY – 1 Skier
10. 1/16/16 – Hatcher Pass, AK – 1 Snowboarder
11. 1/16/16 – St. Mary’s Glacier, CO – 1 Hiker/Climber
12. 1/2/16 – Hatcher Pass, AK – 1 Snowmobiler

The United States wasn’t the only place where people died in avalanches in January. Over 34 people died in avalanches around the globe last month. The European Avalanche Warning Services reports 7 avalanche fatalities. The SLF reported 6 avalanche fatalities in Switzerland. There are plenty others that go unreported.

These are the stories that came across our radar, but it’s far from a complete list:

• France (14)
  •  Skier Dies In Avalanche Near La Clusaz, France
  • Three Dead After Avalanche Hits School Group In French Alps
  • Two Skiers Die In Separate Avalanches In French Alps
  • Avalanche Kills 5 French Foreign Legion Soldiers In French Alps (One More Died From Injuries Later)
  • Mont Blanc Avalanche Kills Two Lithuanian Climbers
• India (5)
  • 15-Year-Old Student Dies In Avalanche In Kashmir
  • 4 Soldiers Killed In Avalanche In Kashmir
• Canada (6)
  • Five Snowmobilers Killed In British Columbia Avalanche Near McBride
  • Avalanche Kills Snowmobiler Northeast Of Prince George, British Columbia
• Spain (1)
  • Skier Dies In Avalanche Near Valdezcaray In Northern Spain
• Bulgaria (2)
  • Two Die In Avalanche On Vitosha Mountain In Bulgaria
• Austria (1)
  • Off Piste Avalanche Kills Russian Teenager In Tyrol, Austria
• Scotland (2)
  • Two Climbers Killed In Possible Avalanche In Scottish Highlands
• Switzerland (3)
  • Two Off Piste Skiers Killed In Avalanche Near Verbier, Switzerland
  • Randonee Skier Dies In Avalanche Near Davos, Switzerland
• Japan (1)
  • Avalanche Kills Backcountry Skier In Gunma Prefecture

All of these people will be missed by the mountain community. RIP.
Be safe out there. Please treat the backcountry with respect. Know Before You Go.