Utah man saves brother from deadly avalanche in snowy backcountry

In Utah's Franklin Basin area, two brothers experienced a terrifying avalanche while snowmobiling on Christmas Eve. Braeden Hansen inadvertently triggered the avalanche while riding and managed to escape, but his brother Hunter, who was standing nearby, was caught and buried under the snow, which carried him approximately 150 yards. Communication was maintained between the brothers through radio contact, during which Hunter was immobilized but could hear family members coordinating his rescue. Fortunately, Braeden used an avalanche transceiver to locate Hunter, ultimately spotting his gloved fingers sticking out of the snow. After pinpointing Hunter's location, Braeden dug him out to free him from the snow, helping him breathe by removing his helmet. Hunter suffered minor injuries, but both brothers returned to safety, riding out together on a single snowmobile. Their father had struggled to reach them due to the heavy snow but eventually got out himself after Hunter's rescue. The incident highlights the dangers associated with backcountry snowmobiling in avalanche-prone areas, especially on days marked with considerable avalanche danger as forecasted by authorities. Both brothers were equipped with necessary avalanche rescue gear, including transceivers, shovels, probes, and airbags. This equipment proved vital in ensuring Hunter's survival during the traumatic ordeal, which many are calling a Christmas miracle, given the average number of avalanche-related fatalities in the United States each year. The Utah Avalanche Center emphasized the importance of understanding avalanche conditions, as they warned of worsening risks in the mountains of northern Utah and southeast Idaho in the days following the incident. The near-tragic episode serves as a grim reminder of the perils faced by those who venture into the backcountry during wintertime when avalanche risks can escalate. The brothers are fortunate to have survived, with local authorities praising Braeden's quick thinking and ability to respond effectively to the dangerous situation. The experience reinforces the necessity of safety preparedness and awareness when participating in outdoor recreational activities such as snowmobiling in potentially hazardous conditions.