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Show . PARK CITY, UTAH 31 December 196^ UFATHER FACTORS By late December, 1965, the avalanche hazard in a l l ski areas of the Western Wasatch Mountains was high, due to slab deposition on crust layers and depth hoar. Some areas were taking control measures d a i l y . Many ski runs were closed. At the Treasure Mountain Ski Area, part- time patrolman W. B. noted the avalanche hazard, although area personnel did not feel the danger there was great enough to warrant control measures. The steeper runs at Treasure Mountain, where the hazards were considered greatest, were closed to skiers. However, as the month drew to a close, minor avalanche a c t i v i t y on the mountain increased. On 28 December, a large, soft slab avalanche released in Jupiter Bowl; on the 29th, a Treasure Mountain Ski Patrolman triggered a small avalanche o f f a mine dump below Angle Station. Two ski school i n s t r u c t o r s reported a small slide and f r a c t u r i n g on the low- angle slopes of " W i l l y ' s Road" run on the 30th. On the 29th and the 30th storms dropped sixteen inches of new snow on the area. By the 31st, while there was no snow f a l l i n g , wind speeds were moderately high and considerable d r i f t i n g was reported. ACCIDENT SUMMARY The only beginner- intermediate run o f f the upper mountain at Treasure Mountain is the " Bonanza" run. The upper slopes of the t r a i l are connected to lower Bonanza and other lower mountain ski areas by a cat track, which also provides access to the Gondola Angle Station. Both the cat track and Bonanza are threatened by three potential avalanche paths, though slides are r e l a t i v e l y infrequent. The hazard is compounded by the fact that skier t r a f f i c on the cat track and the intermediate ski run is usually heavy. At about 3: 30 p. m. Friday, 31 December, a slab released in a small bowl above the cat track and s p i l l e d down a small gully which intersects the track. As i t swept over the cat track, three skiers in i t s path were trapped and c a r r i e d one to two hundred feet down the slope to the lower cat track. Two of them were completely buried, while the t h i r d , a young boy, was only p a r t i a l l y covered. Two witnesses, D. R. and his sister K. R., were nearly caught. They stated that there was no sound or warning, but noted that they had seen two skiers in the closed area above the fracture line just before the slab released. RESCUE One of the two who were completely covered was able to free himself; he then helped the boy dig himself out. Both were unhurt and went for help to rescue the t h i r d v i c t i m , the boy's f a t h e r . D. R. entered the slide area and made a quick search. A few moments l a t e r , both he and his sister went for help. By 3: 45 the accident had been reported. Immediately a hasty search was organized. Before the hasty search party reached the scene, ^ several instructors and ski patrolmen arrived and began random probing with ski poles and s k i s . By 4: 00 the Hasty Party arrived at the accident and 131 |