Francis Xavier
A snowboarder from Idaho is lucky to be alive after he was carried 600 feet in an avalanche in Grand Teton National Park on Monday. FOX News reports the snowboarder was on the west side of Albright Peak around 11:30 a.m. when the slide was triggered and was taken downhill into Death Canyon.
The avalanche was 300 feet wide with a depth between 1-5 feet and carried 2,400 feet downhill. Members from the snowboarders group called 911 and communicated their location to rescuers.
Officials report the injured snowboarder was swept approximately 600 feet and struck multiple trees before coming to rest. He was airlifted to a waiting ambulance. Once he was back on the ground, the man was assessed for injuries and refused additional medical care. He and his crew then drove themselves to St. John’s Hospital (probably to save the cost of the ride).
The names of the injured snowboarder and the other members of his group were not immediately released. His current condition is also unknown.
