Two Snowmobilers Die in Separate Avalanches in Washington and Idaho

The tragic incidents occurred on Friday, highlighting the dangers of persistent weak layers in the snowpack.

Two snowmobilers were killed in separate avalanches in Washington and Idaho, with one incident occurring in the Cascade Mountains and the other in the southern Selkirk Mountains.
The Northwest Avalanche Center and Boundary County Emergency Management reported the incidents, emphasizing the risks associated with older persistent weak layers in the snowpack.
One victim, identified as Lance J. Gidley, 54, of Sandpoint, Idaho, was found dead underneath the snow after his friend, who narrowly escaped the avalanche, returned to search for him.
Avalanche warnings were in effect for the areas at the time of the incidents, underscoring the high risk of avalanches in these regions.
So far this year, avalanches have claimed the lives of 10 people in the U.S., including five skiers, one snowboarder, and three snowmobilers.