Photo: Utah Avalanche Center
A backcountry skier was trapped in a ravine for nearly 15 hours before rescuers were able to retrieve her. The incident occurred in Rich County, Utah, where rugged conditions and harsh weather led to the protracted rescue effort.
According to a release from the Rich County Sheriff’s Office, on December 7 at around 4:35 p.m., they received a 911 text from a 22-year-old woman who had fallen into some trees and slid into a ravine. At the time of the text, she had already been in the ravine for around three and a half hours.
The woman had also been skiing with a 20-year-old man who she lost contact with after the fall. He was later found around 6:58 p.m., unharmed.
Rich County Search and Rescue mobilized a ground crew, snowmobiles, ATVs and a drone team. Though they were able to quickly find the woman via drone, she proved to be in difficult terrain, which stymied efforts to retrieve her. A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter was deployed to aid the efforts, but was likewise prevented from reaching the woman’s location due to inclement weather.
The crews worked throughout the night to try to reach her. Finally, at 4:15 a.m., the Utah DPS helicopter and its team airlifted the victim to safety. She was not injured and was able to go home.
