Tele-skier dies in Teton County, Wyoming

Another Avalanche Death

By Lauren M. Whaley, 3-11-07

Jackson Hole blogger, skier and Search and Rescue volunteer Steve Romeo recounts the scene and recovery from Saturday's fatality.

"From what I can tell, two brothers (one from Driggs, one from Steamboat) were ascending the the western slope of Peak 10,028, which is a spur ridge off of Fossil Mountain, from the South Fork of Darby Canyon. One was on a splitboard and the other on telemark gear. As they skinned to the top of the ridge, the slope avalanched, taking the skier (from Steamboat) about 1500-2000 feet down the mountain."

Click here to read the rest on Romeo's TetonAT blog.

The Jackson Hole Daily published an article Monday, naming Paul Maniaci as the victim.

From Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center:

"On Saturday evening a skier triggered a 2 to 3 foot slab in Darby Canyon on a Westerly aspect around 10,000 feet. He was carried 1,500 vertical feet, buried four feet deep, and did not survive. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. Clearing skies late in the day and warm temperatures likely played a role in this event. If signs of significant warming are observed, which progress from sunballs, to pinwheels, to wet-loose sloughs; wet and dry slabs are becoming more unstable as the surface of the snowpack creeps downhill faster than the snow beneath. Backcountry travelers need to pay attention to these signs, and if seen, alter their plans accordingly."

Update from the Center:

"Skiers investigated the Darby Canyon accident Monday and found that the hard slab slide likely started on buried faceted snow. The West side of the Teton Range has a shallower snowpack than the East side and has persistent weak snow at the base and within the snow."

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