Grand Teton National Park Rangers Recover Body Of Skier Killed In Avalanche

Grand Teton National Park rangers on Monday worked to recover the body of a Jackson, Wyoming, man killed by an avalanche the day before.

Park officials say Nick Gillespie, 30, was caught in an avalanche on the southeast face of Survey Peak in the northern Teton Range about 5 p.m. Sunday and died as a result of injuries suffered in the slide. Mr. Gillespie was a long-time seasonal employee of Grand Teton National Park who worked on the park’s trail crew for the past six years.

Rangers enlisted the assistance of the Teton County Search and Rescue contract helicopter and crew for the recovery mission. Teton Interagency helitack personnel assisted with a temporary helibase established near Colter Bay, 25 miles north of Moran Junction.

Four rangers were inserted into Berry Creek canyon on Monday about 11 a.m. Recovery of Gillespie’s body and an investigation into the details of the incident are ongoing. Further information will be provided when available.

The avalanche danger on Sunday was listed as low in the morning, rising to moderate in the afternoon at elevations between 9,000 and 10,500 feet. Moderate danger means that natural avalanches are unlikely, but human-triggered avalanches are possible. However, the report also reported, “At upper elevations new snow and winds overnight and expected snow today will create the potential for backcountry users to trigger soft slabs or sloughs to a foot in depth by the afternoon.”

Rangers recommend that backcountry users get the latest avalanche conditions, be prepared for all aspects of backcountry travel, carry basic avalanche equipment and go with others. For local avalanche conditions visit www.jhavalanche.org or call 307-733-2664.