COOKE CITY, Mont. -- An avalanche near Cooke City killed a Bismarck, N.D., man Saturday. Two others were buried in the snow but survived.
The 33-year-old man who died was a member of a five person snowmobiling group on the mountain that day, Park County Undersheriff Clay Herbst confirmed Sunday morning.
The avalanche was triggered at about 1 p.m. on Sheep Mountain while five North Dakota men were snowmobiling on the mountain north of Cooke City, a news release from Herbst said.
One of the snowmobilers had gotten stuck and two others were riding above him when the slide was triggered.
Three men were buried and one freed himself before helping the others locate and dig out the other buried riders.
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All members of the snowmobiling group were reported to have been experienced riders. They carried avalanche beacons, probes, shovels and backpacks with inflatable airbags.
The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center issued a Backcountry Avalanche Warning Saturday for the mountains near Cooke City and other areas.
The news release said avalanche danger is rated high on all slopes. Continuous snowfall and strong winds added weight to unstable snowpack.
