On Christmas Eve, two brothers from Utah experienced a harrowing ordeal when they found themselves caught up in a large avalanche during their snowmobiling adventure. The incident, which occurred at approximately 9,000 feet elevation in Franklin Basin, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, exemplifies both the beauty and the danger of winter sports.
According to reports from the Utah Avalanche Center, the brothers, Braeden and Hunter Hansen, were riding their snowmobiles when the avalanche was triggered. Braeden, who was leading the ride, observed the telltale signs of trouble as he saw the snow slope ripple around him. Realizing what was happening, he managed to escape the slide, but unfortunately, his brother was not as lucky. Hunter was swept away and carried about 150 yards before becoming completely buried under the heavy snow.
"I saw the snow ripple and knew it was an avalanche," Braeden recounted, clearly shaken from the experience. After the avalanche struck, Hunter found himself immobilized and unable to communicate except through the radio they were using. Braeden, equipped with avalanche safety gear, was able to activate his transceiver to locate his brother.
Using the device, Braeden pinpointed Hunter's location, which was nearby but buried under several feet of snow. "He was recovered by his brother, who used a transceiver to get close enough to see a couple of fingers of a gloved hand sticking out of the snow," the avalanche center's incident report stated. This discovery instilled hope during what must have been minutes of panic for Braeden.
When Braeden reached Hunter, the sight was alarming. "I could see his hand, his gloves, kind of poking out, waving," he said. "But by the time I got to him, he was about two feet under the snow." Acting quickly, Braeden cleared the snow from Hunter’s head to help him breathe. "I just cleared the snow away from his head and got his helmet off so he could start breathing again, and then I started digging his body out from there," he explained.
Despite the terrifying circumstances, Hunter suffered only minor injuries. The brothers later rode back to safety together, grateful to be alive after what they described as one of the most frightening moments of their lives. Toby Weed, an avalanche forecaster for the Utah Avalanche Center, remarked, "Those guys had a very, very lucky Christmas Eve." He emphasized the importance of avalanche awareness, stating, "Always access and read the forecast. The forecast indicated considerable avalanche danger during the incident, and that's actually the same danger applicable here today."
The Utah Avalanche Center also highlighted the fact the area where the avalanche occurred had been experiencing widespread avalanche risks as the weather patterns continued to change. The combination of recent snowfall and existing weak layers within the snowpack raised concerns across the mountains of northern Utah and southeast Idaho.
Hunter expressed deep appreciation for the swift actions taken by his brother. Reflecting on the moments trapped beneath the snow, he described it as the most violent experience he had ever felt, commenting, "I just tumbled down the mountain. The snow compacted around me; it felt like concrete. I couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything." With the radio connection, he could hear his brother searching for him, creating both anxiety and hope. "I heard my brother say, 'I found him, I found him' when he located me!"
This avalanche incident is not only a stark reminder of the dangers inherent to winter sports but highlights the importance of preparedness and safety measures when engaging in such activities. Across the United States, approximately 28 people die from avalanches each winter, often due to suffocation, trauma, or hypothermia, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Both brothers frequently equip themselves with avalanche safety gear, including beacons, probes, shovels, and airbags when venturing out. "It can happen at any moment, and it sure did happen to us," Braeden noted. These precautions were undoubtedly instrumental to their survival and prompt rescue.
Hunter, grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with his family, regarded his survival as nothing short of miraculous. His family echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how fortunate they were to have him back safely during the holiday season, emphasizing the value of family and life during such trying times.
Overall, the experience served as both a shocking wake-up call and a lesson for other adventurers—emphasizing preparation, awareness of avalanche conditions, and the importance of responsible snowmobiling practices to prevent future casualties.
