For backcountry skiers and snowboarders, it’s always tough to hear about an avalanche fatality in Utah’s mountains. It’s even more disturbing to discover that the touring party was experienced and did everything right, but even then, a life was lost. Avalanches are unpredictable, and no amount of knowledge and precautions can ever make a snow-covered slope 100% safe. Such was the case last weekend when one of our own, Garrett Smith, was taken from the backcountry community.
The deadly avalanche occured in the Horseshoe Bowl, located in the Manti Skyline Mountains. According to the Utah Avalanche Center, Garrett and his party were conducting stability tests below a cornice in the upper bowl. A member in the party collapsed the cornice, which set off a massive slide that swept three skiers away. Two were quickly located and dug out, but Garrett was completely buried. After being dug out, it was clear that he suffered severe trauma and he wasn’t breathing.
For over an hour, the group performed CPR and get Garrett breathing again. Search and Rescue crews arrived and got the party off the mountain that evening. Garrett was airlifted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, but he passed away on Sunday. Garrett was 26 years old.
Since then, condolences have poured in from the outdoor community. Garrett Smith was a well known and well liked outdoorsman who was team member at Petzl, and an avid photographer who started Hammers Inc. Photography, a company dedicated to documenting outdoor recreation and adventure.
Following Garrett’s death, his family released the following statement:
“On behalf of Molly Barker Smith, the Smith family and the Barker family, we express our deepest gratitude for the dedicated service of each individual involved in the rescue of Garrett Smith. Specifically, we are so grateful to the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue, EMS and technical crews, the American Red Cross, Life Flight, Chopper 5, Mount Pleasant Medical Center physicians and staff, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center staff, especially the expert caregivers in the Emergency Room and Neuro ICU, and especially each individual, selfless volunteer in the rescue party. Each person donated their time, assets and lives in bringing Garrett home to us.
“Garrett was a fun-loving, thoughtful, honorable husband; a doting uncle, son and brother who was totally dedicated to the love of his life and chasing their dreams together. Garrett and his loved ones loved being in the back country. They took every known precaution possible and did everything right, but all risks cannot be mitigated.
“A tragic incident has occurred, but self rescue efforts were performed by party members unceasingly until help arrived. Even though Garrett has passed, the rescue was successful in bringing him back to us so that goodbyes could be said with family and loved ones. According to Garrett’s wishes and the family’s wishes, he will be able to bring life to many people through the donation of his strong organs.
“We pray the Lord’s blessings upon each one of you who has assisted in this endeavor.”
There’s a lot of information out there about this accident. The Utah Avalanche Center has a complete report with a breakdown of the incident with photos and graphics.
KUTV 2 News filed this report about the tragedy complete with interviews from friends and family.
You can also watch the video below from KSL.com that shows helicoptor footage of the avalanche path and rescue.
In addition, Garrett Smith had a photography website at www.hammersincphoto.com where his talent is on display. Seeing his photographs, reading about his zest for life, and hearing how much he was loved really brings this avalanche fatality home to all of us who travel in the backcountry.
Our thoughts are with the Smith family.
Video Courtesy of KSL.com