Avalanche in Wyoming backcountry kills experienced outdoorsman, injures another skier
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An avalanche in western Wyoming buried two skiers over the weekend, killing one and injuring the other.

Teton County Search and Rescue said the deadly incident took place on the Togwotee Pass in the Breccia Cliffs area on Saturday afternoon. 

The two skiers were part of a group of four ascending a mountain in the backcountry approximately 20 miles east of Grand Teton National Park when they triggered an avalanche. 

One skier was completely buried while the other was partially buried with leg injuries.

They were also able to recover the body of the skier and used a sked to bring him out of the backcountry. Teton County Coroner Brent Blue identified him as Kenneth Goff, 36, according to The Associated Press.

Goff, who was from Lander, Wyoming, was an experienced outdoorsman and worked as a nurse and with the city’s search and rescue team, according to his resume on a portfolio website.

Kenneth Goff

Kenneth Goff, 36, was identified by the Teton County coroner as the skier killed in the avalanche. (Kenneth Goff / Portfolium webpage)

He had worked as a rock climbing instructor in various capacities since October 2011 and had been teaching climbing and mountaineering courses at the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander since May 2017.

Goff is the fifth person killed by an avalanche in the United States this winter.

“This serves as an important reminder of how much longer a mission can take when the helicopter is grounded, and is another factor to consider in your backcountry planning should an accident occur,” Teton County Search and Rescue wrote on Facebook.

“TCSAR extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased skier.”

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