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Wyoming Skier Dies In Fall At Grand Teton National Park

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Published Date

February 16, 2017

A Wyoming man died in a fall while trying to ski down from the South Teton, one of the peaks in the Cathedral Group at Grand Teton National Park/NPS

A Wyoming man skiing the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park with friends was killed in a 1,400-foot fall down a couloir below the South Teton. Park officials said John "Jack" Fields, Jr., 26, of Jackson died around midday Wednesday and that his body was recovered about 6 p.m. that evening. 

Fields and three friends had summited the South Teton and planned to ski down via the Amore Vida Couloir, a park release said. On the approach to the Amore Vida Couloir, Fields fell and slid out of sight from the other individuals. He fell approximately 1,400 vertical feet in an unnamed couloir between Amore Vida Couloir and the southeast face of the South Teton, the release added.

The three other members of the party remained above the couloir and made the call for help. 

Park rangers requested the Teton County Search and Rescue helicopter and conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the area. The victim was visually located. The three park rangers on board the helicopter were flown to Snowdrift Lake, and skied and hiked to the scene. Upon arrival at approximately 1:45 p.m. Fields was determined to be deceased. It is believed he died from injuries sustained in the fall. His body was removed via a helicopter long-line operation and transported to the Sawmill Ponds Overlook near the north end of the Moose-Wilson Road. The body was turned over to the Teton County Coroner's Office.

As the body was being recovered, the other three skiers waited at a location approximately 1,300 feet below the summit of the South Teton for snow conditions to improve. They then worked their way back to the summit of the South Teton and made their descent down Garnet Canyon. The party arrived safely at the Taggart Lake Trailhead at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Park rangers report highly variable conditions in the backcountry at this time. Snow can vary from soft and wet surfaces to rock-hard wind slab or breakable crusts with subtle changes in aspect and elevation.

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