Two brothers from Utah had a close call when a snowmobiler was buried in an avalanche while enjoying the snow in the backcountry. The younger brother, Braeden Hansen, quickly rushed to his aid and managed to dig him out, saving his life. The avalanche occurred at around 8,400 feet elevation in the Franklin Basin area, close to the Idaho border, with a persistent weak layer identified by the Utah Avalanche Center.
The brothers were climbing up a hillside when Braeden noticed the avalanche coming down and saw his brother, Hunter Hansen, get buried under the snow. Despite being ahead of his brother, Braeden quickly located him using a beacon and dug him out from under 2 feet of snow. Hunter described being tumbled and washed down the mountain, feeling like he was slammed into a rock or tree and unable to breathe.
Hunter suffered bruises and is getting his leg checked for a possible fracture but is grateful for his survival, calling it a “Christmas miracle.” The brothers always carry safety equipment like beacons, probes, shovels, and airbag devices when venturing into the backcountry, prepared for emergencies like avalanches.
The brothers’ close call serves as a reminder of the dangers of avalanches, with an average of 27 avalanche-related deaths occurring in the United States each year. Utah ranks fourth in recorded avalanche deaths since the 1950s, with Colorado, Alaska, and Washington state leading the list. Hunter expressed gratitude for his brother’s quick actions and emphasized the importance of being prepared for such risks when enjoying winter activities in the backcountry.
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