A Cache Valley man is breathing a sigh of relief after rescuing his brother from an avalanche on Christmas Eve. Braeden Hansen and his brother, Hunter, were snowmobiling in Franklin Basin when they accidentally triggered the slide.
“It was a big eye-opener. A wake-up call,” Braeden Hansen reflected. “It can happen to anyone, and it’s a scary situation. So just be prepared.”
The brothers had spent most of the day outdoors riding their snowmobiles. Everything seemed fine until Braeden noticed the snow beginning to ripple beneath him. “Oh no, it’s happened,” he recalled. He was fortunate to ride off to safety, but his brother Hunter wasn’t as lucky. “Right as I turn around, I can see the slide start to hit my brother,” he explained. Hunter, who was about 150 feet up the hill at the time, pulled his airbag but lost sight of him.
Both brothers possess considerable experience with backcountry activities, yet nothing could fully prepare them for such perilous circumstances. Soon after the avalanche struck, Braeden heard his brother’s transceiver signal—time was of the essence. “You always hear about it and you always practice. But when it’s real life, it’s like, ‘all right, clock’s ticking. It’s time to get to business,’” he shared.
Following his brother’s beacon signal, Braeden raced closer until he could see Hunter’s hand poking out of the snow, subtly signaling for help. “I told him I was on my last breath,” Hunter later recounted to NBC News, expressing his gratitude for Braeden's swift actions. “I feel very blessed and lucky to have him.”
Eventually, with determination, Braeden was able to dig Hunter out from beneath the snow. Remarkably, Hunter sustained only minor injuries. Both brothers rode back to safety on one of their snowmobiles, but the situation could have been far more dire.
Authorities responded to the incident, and the Utah Avalanche Center confirmed the dangerous conditions prevalent during the holiday period. Located within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Franklin Basin is known for its thrilling snowmobile routes, but it is also notorious for swiftly changing weather and avalanche risks. Hunter's snowmobile was later found buried, showcasing the extent of the slide damage as well.
The Avalanche Center warned of the increasing instability across the mountains of Northern Utah and Southeast Idaho. “Avalanche conditions will be common, and the danger will be rising as we head through the week,” their report stated.
With such incidents growing more frequent with the winter weather, safety experts urge caution. Conditions leading to avalanches can be identified through several signs such as cracks forming on the surface of the snow, hollow ground sensations, and strong winds. Paying attention to local advisories is of utmost importance.
Among the recommended safety equipment, transceivers, shovels, and probes are considered essentials for snowmobilers. “We’ll never forget this experience, and we’ve learned the hard way to always be prepared,” Braeden articulated as he reflected on their close call.
The Hansen brothers' harrowing rescue is not only a personal tale of bravery and quick thinking but also serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by winter sports enthusiasts. Snowmobilers and outdoor adventurers everywhere are encouraged to prioritize safety to protect themselves against the unpredictable power of nature.
