A harrowing avalanche incident unfolded last week in the picturesque Franklin Basin area of Utah's Backcountry, leaving one man thankful for his brother's desperate rescue. Hunter Hansen, caught beneath 46 inches of snow, faced what could've been his last moments after being swept away by the powerful forces of nature.
On Tuesday, just before Christmas, heavy snowfall made the area particularly treacherous, with avalanche warnings already issued. Hunter Hansen was out enjoying the winter conditions when disaster struck. He was quickly engulfed by snow after the avalanche ripped through the mountain, sweeping him more than 150 yards down the slope.
Fortunately, Hunter's brother, Braeden, was nearby and witnessed the shocking event. He later relayed the moment the avalanche hit, recalling, "I saw the snow ripple and knew it was an avalanche... I turned around to watch the slide hit Hunter and just watched him kind of get tumbled and buried and then lost sight of him." What followed was both terrifying and miraculous.
Desperately searching for his brother, Braeden spotted Hunter’s glove above the surface of the snow, leading him to where he was buried. Struggling for breath under the weight of the snow, Hunter later described the despair he felt, stating, "There was just a sigh of relief when I felt him start digging... It just washed me down the mountain. The most violent thing I've ever felt... Couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything. I slammed...into a rock or a tree." With his quick thinking and determination, Braeden began the painstaking process of digging his brother out, first removing the snow from Hunter's head to allow him to breathe again.
"I just cleared the snow away from his head and got his helmet off so he could start breathing again, then just started digging his body out from there," Braeden recounted. Despite the panic and fear of the situation, the bond between the brothers shone through as Braeden worked frantically to save Hunter.
Reflecting on his near-death experience amid the dangers of winter sports, Hunter expressed his gratitude, saying, "You hear so many tragic stories of people getting buried in avalanches and not making it out, so I feel very blessed and lucky." His incredible survival serves as both a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of being prepared for the unpredictable nature of the backcountry during winter.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of increasing avalanche dangers throughout the region. An avalanche watch, effective from Friday through Saturday morning, was recently issued for areas including Island Park and the Lionhead area. Heavy snowfall and unstable snowpack create conditions for high avalanche danger, requiring outdoor enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the sobering reality of winter sports is underscored by statistics showing avalanches claim, on average, 27 lives each winter across the United States. Often, many non-fatal incidents go unreported, raising concerns about safety standards and awareness among winter sports enthusiasts.
For those venturing out during this perilous season, the importance of equipment, knowledge of the terrain, and awareness of avalanche risk cannot be overstated. Understanding the conditions and having the necessary gear could mean the difference between life and death.
Hunter and Braeden Hansen's story is not just one of survival but also of sibling love and the universal struggle against nature's raw power. Their experience will forever mark this winter, serving as both cautionary tale and heartfelt reminder to all who chase snowy peaks.
