Snowbiker dies after he’s swept over a waterfall by avalanche, Montana officials say

A snowbiker died after he was carried through a gully and over a waterfall by an avalanche, Montana officials said.

A group of three snowmobilers and two snowbikers were riding Saturday, Feb. 19, near Cooke City, an entrance town to Yellowstone National Park, the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center said.

“The two snowbikers were high on the slope when one stopped on a small ridge while the other climbed higher and triggered a large avalanche,” Avalanche Center officials said in an accident report.

The avalanche swept the man through the gully and over a waterfall. He was partially buried by the debris.

The man’s head was a foot below the surface under snow and debris, officials said. Only his arm and airbag were visible.

“Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the victim was evacuated by Park County SAR,” officials said.

The avalanche was about 800 feet wide, and at least 2 feet deep, according to the Avalanche Center. The debris was 15 feet deep.

Officials did not say what happened to the other members of the man’s group. The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center will release a full report “in the coming days,” officials said.

“We will release more details when they are available,” officials said. “Our sincerest condolences go to the family and friends of the rider.”

An avalanche can happen quickly and catch people by surprise. Avalanches can move between 60 mph and 80 mph and typically happen on slopes of 30-45 degrees, according to officials.

They can be triggered by a change in the weather or by people recreating on a slope, officials said.

Skiers, snowmobilers and hikers can set off an avalanche when a layer of snow collapses and starts to slide down the slope.

In the U.S., avalanches are most common from December to April, but they can happen at any time if the conditions are right, National Geographic reported.

At least 10 people in the U.S. have died in avalanches this season as of Feb. 21, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

This story was originally published February 21, 2022 at 10:52 AM with the headline "Snowbiker dies after he’s swept over a waterfall by avalanche, Montana officials say."