Brothers in Utah stay alive in avalanche as one rescues the other from being buried in the snow

Two brothers are lucky to be alive this holiday season after being caught up in an avalanche that buried one brother under snow. 

The avalanche happened on Christmas Eve in the Steep Hollow area of Franklin Basin in Cache County, FOX 13 News Utah reported. 

The local TV station said the men were riding snowmobiles when one of them triggered the avalanche.

One of the brothers was carried for about 150 yards prior to being fully buried, according to an incident report from the Utah Avalanche Center.

The avalanche occurred at an elevation of 9,000 feet, according to a notice from the Utah Avalanche Center.  (Utah Avalanche Center)

Braeden Hansen shared with NBC News that when he reached his brother Hunter, he could only see his hand and gloves sticking out and waving. However, at that point, Hunter’s head was buried about 2 feet under the snow. Braeden quickly cleared the snow around Hunter’s head, removed his helmet to help him breathe, and then started the difficult task of digging his body out.

Utah Avalanche Center forecaster Toby Weed commented to a local station that the group involved in the incident had a very fortunate Christmas Eve. Weed emphasized the importance of checking and heeding avalanche forecasts. On that particular day, the avalanche risk was significant, which is currently the same level of danger present in Logan.

After one man pulled his brother from the snow, the two men doubled up on a snowmobile and headed out of the backcountry.  (Utah Avalanche Center)

The two then doubled up and rode out of the backcountry, the avalanche center said.

The brother who was buried sustained minor injuries, according to FOX 13.

The Hansen brothers’ experience underscores the critical importance of being aware of avalanche forecasts and understanding the potential dangers. By staying informed about the conditions and risks, individuals can make safer decisions when venturing into snowy terrains. It is essential to prioritize safety and preparedness to avoid dangerous situations like the one faced by Hunter and Braeden.

Avalanche dangers in the mountains of northern Utah and southeast Idaho are “widespread” heading into the weekend, according to the avalanche center.