Monte Cristo Avalanche report details slide that killed one
Feb 11, 2025, 8:00 AM
A screenshot from the Utah Avalanche Center website shows the approximate location of the Monte Cristo avalanche, which killed one person on Feb. 3, 2025.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Avalanche Center released a report providing details about the Feb. 3 Monte Cristo avalanche that killed one snowmobiler.
In their report, the UAC said two snowmobilers, Scott Wright and Warren Ethridge, departed the Woodruff trailhead together.
Wright had ridden in the area before, but Ethridge had not.
On their way toward the Monte Cristo area, which is east of Huntsville, they began ascending a slope near Beer Hill.
According to the UAC report, Ethridge ascended the slope first before turning right and descending. Wright followed, climbing toward the slope’s center. As he made a left turn, the snow beneath him failed.
Wright was caught in the Monte Cristo avalanche. He was carried and completely buried. The UAC said a slab of wind-drifted snow below the surface failed, resulting in a hard slab avalanche.
Furthermore, UAC explained that the Monte Cristo avalanche was 3 feet deep and 400 feet wide.
More technical details are available in UAC’s report.
Monte Cristo avalanche witness did not have rescue gear
Ethridge knew Wright’s last location, but he was not carrying any rescue gear. He was unsure if Wright had been carrying a beacon, per the report.
Avalanche rescue gear is comprised of an avalanche beacon, a shovel, and a probe. Those who recreate in the backcountry are strongly encouraged by professionals to carry this equipment at all times. However, Utah law does not mandate it.
Ethridge called 911 before beginning his search.
“Had they both been wearing transmitting beacons, [Ethridge] could have narrowed the search area,” wrote an unnamed author of the UAC report.
The report revealed that Wright had been wearing an “armed airbag.”
Rich County Search and Rescue personnel responded to the Monte Cristo avalanche shortly after 3 p.m.
An hour later, Life Flight landed. Personnel on the helicopter provided Ethridge with avalanche rescue gear.
The importance of avalanche beacons
As search efforts continued after the Monte Cristo avalanche, rescuers were unable to find a beacon signal.
Avalanche beacons aid in rescue efforts by sending out radio signals. According to REI, each beacon must be operating on the same signal, 457 kHz. In the event of an emergency, they can be set to “receive” mode, which enables the beacon to receive the signal.
If an avalanche beacon receives a signal, rescuers can locate avalanche victims.
According to the report, Powder Mountain Ski Patrollers and two avalanche dogs arrived just before 5 p.m. They completed a quick search that ended when one of the dogs caught a scent. Rescue teams from Weber and Cache counties also responded to the scene.
Rescuers used their avalanche probes to search for Wright beneath the surface. Initially, they did not find him, so they continued their search by forming probe lines.
Eventually, one of the searchers detected the smell of gasoline. As rescuers probed the area, they hit the snowmobile on which Wright was riding. It was buried between three and four feet deep, per the UAC report.
Wright was found nearby, between a tree and his snowmobile.
“We aim to learn from accidents like this and in no way intend to point fingers at victims,” wrote UAC. “Thank you to all the community members who participated in this rescue and provided closure to this individual’s family and friends.”
Related:
- Victim of Silver Fork avalanche identified
- Avalanche danger to remain “considerable” across Utah, forecaster says
