Snowmobiler Dies In Avalanche In Idaho Near Brundage Mountain | 12th US Avalanche Fatality In January 2016
At approximately 2:30 PM on Sunday, January 31 2016, Kirk Bradley Kinzer Jr., 20, of Lewiston, Idaho died in an avalanche while snowmobiling on the northeast face of Granite Mountain above the Twin Lakes area near Brundage Ski Resort in northern Idaho.
Kinzer had all of the appropriate safety gear and was found by his friends and family who were in his group. His rescuers performed CPR, but Kinzer died from his injuries. McCall Fire, EMS, Forest Service, and Adams County deputies arrived shortly after the incident.
According to the Payette Avalanche Center, the avalanche danger at the time of the incident on 1/31/16 was Moderate with the exception of wind loaded terrain above 7000′. The PAC avalanche forecasters will visit the site today.
UPDATE 2/2: The Payette Avalanche Center visited the site of the fatal avalanche on 1/31/16. The avalanche failed on a persistent slab – buried surface hoar – triggered from a thin spot. Here’s what they found:
- Location: Granite Mountain, Above Twin Lakes
- Aspect: NE
- Elevation: 7700′
- Slope: 38 degrees
- Width: 150′
- Length: 200′
- Height: 2′
Here is the link to the report form the PAC. It includes a map, facts, and photos form the accident site.
We will try to update this post as more information becomes available.
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Read more about the avalanche fatality in Idaho from these sources:
- KTVB.com
- KBOI2.com
- Payette Avalanche Center – Avalanche Forecast 1/31/2016
- Avalanche.or Accident Report
- CAIC Avalanche Report
- Payette Avalanche Center – Accident Report
This is the 12th avalanche fatality in the United States in January 2016.
