Man killed in avalanche near Hungry Horse

One man died after being trapped in an avalanche Saturday afternoon during a snowmobile outing near Hungry Horse Reservoir.

The man's name hadn't been released by law enforcement officials as of press time Saturday night.

Three avalanches were reported near the reservoir Saturday afternoon, according to the Flathead County Sheriff's Office. The incident in which the man died was reported at 3:30 p.m.

A group of seven snowmobilers were about 13 miles up Beta Lake Road when the avalanche occurred. Three people were buried in snow, and two made it out safely, the sheriff's office reported. The third man died. His body was recovered Saturday.

Also Saturday afternoon, two people were trapped in snow when an avalanche occurred in the Lost Johnny area. Both of those people got out of the snow safely, the sheriff's office reported.

No one was caught in the third avalanche, reported at Doris Creek.

Avalanche conditions are ripe, the sheriff's office and the Forest Service say. The combination of cold weather, followed by warmer weather and rain adds up to an increased level of danger, Flathead National Forest Public Affairs Officer Denise Germann said.

Temperatures above freezing, coupled with rain, result in a boost of the snow water equivalent in the mountains, Stan Bones with the Flathead National Forest, said.

The avalanche danger is currently rated high in the Mission, North Swan and Whitefish Mountain ranges. Travel is not recommended in any of those areas, Bones said.

"Until freezing temperatures and drying conditions are solidly re-established, the avalanche danger will remain elevated," he said. "Backcountry travelers need to remain alert."

Forest Service and sheriff's office personnel remind winter recreationists to be prepared before heading into the backcountry. It's important that people know their surroundings and equally important to tell someone where you're headed when you venture into the mountains, they said.

The Flathead National Forest issues avalanche advisories for Northwest Montana every Tuesday and Friday morning through April. Advisories include information about snowpack conditions, weather forecasts and hazard evaluations.

The advisories are available online at www.glacieravalanche.org or by calling 257-8402.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or by e-mail at sridenour@dailyinterlake.com