Motorsports - Four Sledders Buried

In February this year, eight people were buried in two separate avalanches on the same day, right here in Utah’s backcountry — half of them were snowmobilers. Those numbers represent the average: snowmobilers consistently account for as many avalanche victims as all other groups combined (skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering, etc.). Fortunately, these 4 snowmobilers made it out alive.

Nate Carlon and his five friends took their snowmobiles to a place they all knew, near Oakley, Summit County. Everyone had the right equipment for an emergency: radios, beacons, and avalanche backpacks.

The snow was perfect! Freshly fallen from a storm, the powder beckoned new tracks. After coming to a bowl, two of them took off into the trees and the rest carved up the flats. Carlon took out his phone to get a video of everyone, and as he pressed “record,” the screen showed a furious snow cloud barreling towards them.

An avalanche had broken just above them, and only 2 of the 6 sledders could escape. Carlon caught it all on video, including himself getting trampled by the giant snow wave. Thankfully, everyone was able to dig themselves out — one member was buried for about 3 minutes, but had an air pocket and was able to reach his hand out into the open air to indicate his location.

—The recorded video can be seen at tiny.cc/ avalanchevid

Until recently, there haven’t been as many avalanche training resources available for snowmobilers. Duncan Lee, pro-snowmobiler, avalanche survivor, and avalanche safety instructor, has made it part of his mission to get snowmobilers the education they need to safely enjoy the backcountry slopes.

Summit Motorsports is excited to host a free seminar, featuring Duncan, on Dec. 3, @ 5 pm. Be sure to call before the 3rd to get registered, and come out to meet him! His advice could save your life.