Snowmobiler killed in avalanche

An 18-year-old snowmobiler died as the result of an avalanche in the Big Roaring River Lake area of Trinity Mountain, Dec. 28.

Chase Swenson, of Gooding, who attended Glenns Ferry High School, died at the scene after the party of four was caught in the massive snow slide. The three others in the party escaped uninjured.

Swenson and his brother, Sheridan, were buried in the avalanche, while the two others in the party were not. Together, they were able to locate and dig out Sheridan rather quickly. But it took more time to locate Chase.

Two persons arriving shortly after the avalanche occurred, Scott Wendling and Jeff Wendling, began assisting. Using a probe pole, Scott was able to locate the body and they were able to dig the victim out.

More than 20 minutes lapsed after the slide before they were able to dig Swenson out. He was blue and not breathing. CPR was administered for some time without any response.

Two passers by made the reporting calls to alert Elmore County Deputy Robbin Ellis and Jim Noland of the county's Search and Rescue Unit. Ellis and his son, Robbin W. Ellis, who is with the Gooding Fire Department, were the first responders to the scene. Noland said two members of the S&R team happened to be in the area when the incident occurred and were able to take control of the area soon after they arrived at the scene.

Noland cautions that conditions continue to be perfect for avalanche conditions, and urges everyone to exercise extreme caution whenever they travel on snowmobile trails.

"Avoid slopes and avoid 'high marking.' Always travel in groups. There were four people in this party. Two were buried and two were not," he said.

He pointed out that while cross country skiers and snowmobiles often are to blame for starting avalanches, in this case, the snowmobilers did not trigger the slide. "They were just sitting there when it came down on them," he said. Ellis said he understood the victim had recently learned that he had been accepted to Harvard Medical School.