One injured in avalanche near Aspen Grove in Provo Canyon

PROVO, Utah — The Utah County Sheriff’s Office confirms that an avalanche happened near Aspen Grove in Provo Canyon on Friday. 

Sgt. Spencer Cannon said two men got caught in the slide, but were able to get out.

The men were skiing about three-quarters of a mile past the trailhead parking lot when a small avalanche began. 

Cannon told KSL NewsRadio that one of the men twisted his knee and could not walk. 

Therefore, the two men stayed put and called for help. Search and rescue personnel successfully got the injured man off the mountain. 

He’s currently stabilized and on the way to the hospital. 

Cannon wants to remind those exploring the backcountry to consider that if you get caught in a slide, you also put search and rescue in danger. 

“But we have to try while doing that to be aware of the dangers that obviously exist in that area, and then mitigate the risk as we affect the rescue,” Cannon said. 

Cannon also urges people to check avalanche conditions ahead of time. 

 

 

Related reading:

• New tech aims to provide oxygen if trapped in an avalanche
• Utah Avalanche Awareness Week is underway
• Avalanche mitigation efforts helping Utah mountains stay safe