Avalanche victim died Wednesday

Glacier National Park rangers continue to investigate the death of an East Glacier man whose body was recovered in avalanche debris on the northeast face of Mount Shields Thursday.

Rangers believe Brian Curtis Wright, 37, triggered a large slab avalanche while snowboarding on Mount Shields at approximately 1 p.m. Wednesday, shortly after talking to his mother via cell phone from the summit.

According to Sgt. Ernie Freebury, deputy coroner for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, it is apparent that Wright died immediately at the scene and was the only individual involved.

Wright had been on a solo trip in the park.

He texted friends he was on Mount Shields at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. When Wright failed to respond to subsequent text messages on Wednesday, friends grew concerned.

Thursday, a friend located Wright’s vehicle at the Fielding Ranger Station trailhead and skied up to Mount Shields, where Wright’s body was spotted high in a gully within the slide path of a recent avalanche. After leaving the area, the skier called park headquarters to report the avalanche and fatality around 2 p.m. Thursday. 

Rangers skied up the northeast face of Mount Shields, located Wright’s body and confirmed the fatality at 5:45 p.m.

Twenty Park Service employees, Flathead County sheriff’s coroner and a helicopter from Minuteman Aviation of West Glacier responded.

At the scene, rangers found tracks, one through an open area with few trees, suggesting Wright made two trips up the face of the mountain. 

Field personnel observed a two-foot deep fracture in the snow pack just below the summit on its northeast face.

Rangers believe this route most likely triggered the avalanche which ran about 2,000 vertical feet; the overall reach of the avalanche was approximately 2,500 to 3,000 feet. The avalanche was approximately 150 yards wide and narrowed as it ran down a narrow gully. 

Wright’s body was about 200-300 yards above the end of the avalanche slide path.

Investigating rangers believe he tumbled approximately 2,000 feet before his body came to rest at an elevation of 5,427 feet. Avalanche debris in the vicinity of Wright’s body was measured at 20-30 feet deep; however, his body was only partially covered.

Friends described Wright as an avid outdoorsman and knowledgeable backcountry traveler and believed he had an avalanche transceiver. But thus far, neither Wright’s backpack nor his transceiver have been located.

Park officials urged all backcountry travelers to familiarize themselves with current avalanche conditions and heed avalanche warnings when venturing into avalanche prone backcountry areas, as well as carry and know how to use appropriate avalanche equipment.

A U.S. Forest Service Avalanche Center Advisory issued on March 26 called wet snow avalanche danger “considerable” between the elevations of 5,000 and 7,500 feet. The elevation of Mount Shields is 7,131 feet.

Park officials caution backcountry enthusiasts against traveling alone and to let someone know an itinerary and expected return.

As a reminder, backcountry permits are required for all overnight backcountry trips, which allows park personnel to ensure that backcountry travelers are well prepared and familiar with current avalanche conditions. Winter permits are available at no charge Mondays through Fridays at park headquarters from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on weekends at the Apgar Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Park officials urged backcountry travelers to check www.glacieravalanche.org for the latest avalanche hazard and weather advisory before entering the park’s backcountry.

A team of rangers are continuing their investigation on Mount Shields today.

Mount Shields is located in the southernmost portion of Glacier National Park within a few miles of U.S. 2. The area is popular with backcountry ski and snowboard enthusiasts.