UPDATE, FEB 28, 12:36 P.M.

 

Officials identified the deceased as Robert Clark, 48, Scott Smith, 45, both of Soda Springs, Idaho, and Bob Tiechert, about 55, of Grace, Idaho.

Wade Clark, 53, of Soda Springs, Idaho, was the survivor.

END OF UPDATE

 

Three snowmobilers died Friday after a group of four was caught in an avalanche southwest of Wolf Mountain in the Snake River Range.

The fourth person in the group had to walk out to call 911 from his cell phone, said Sgt. Shane Tindall, of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The man refused transportation to the hospital.

The slide was about 100 yards wide and a mile long, Tindall said.

He said he has ridden a snowmobile in the area of the slide.

“It’s rough in places, but not too bad,” he said.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center forecasted a moderate avalanche hazard Friday for the Southwest Trials/Greys River area, which includes the region south of South Park to Alpine.

The center said Friday morning that west-southwest winds formed new soft slabs up to 2 feet in depth on leeward aspects.

“These surface slabs could be triggered by humans who venture into steep avalanche starting zones with fresh deposits of wind-blown snow,” the forecast said. “A remote potential for large loads to trigger full depth avalanches may persist in isolated areas.”

A moderate risk means areas of unstable snow exist, that human-triggered avalanches are possible and larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Caution when using the backcountry is recommended.

Rescue workers set up a staging area late Friday afternoon near Wolf Creek between Hoback Junction and Alpine. Teton County provided assistance, including a helicopter. Tindall said rescue workers set explosive charges off before attempting recovery to reduce the risk of a second slide.

Information about the snowmobilers’ identities was not available at press time.

The avalanche center expects a moderate slide risk Saturday.

“In very steep, wind-loaded terrain about 8,000 feet, backcountry riders and skiers have the potential to trigger dense surface slabs to depths of 2 feet,” the center’s Web site said Friday evening. “In some isolated areas, the slight chance to trigger full-depth hard slabs may persist. Avalanches below 8,000 feet are unlikely.”

No snow is expected Saturday, but the avalanche center reported a chance of snow beginning Sunday afternoon and increasing through Monday.

“The avalanche hazard is expected to diminish during this time,” the Web site said.

For updated avalanche information, go to www.jhavalanche.org.