A Utah man who died in an avalanche while snowmobiling in Lincoln County Sunday afternoon is being remembered by local friends as someone with a “contagious smile” and “one of the greatest friends and brothers anyone could ask for.” That’s according to David McGee, Star Valley resident and family friend to 31-year-old Nicholas Bringhurst.

“He was up for any adventure from kayaking to catching snowmobiles at the Afton Hill Climbs in his signature hunting orange beanie,” said McGee. “But most importantly he loved his snowmobiles. He passed away doing what he loved and will find deep snow in heaven. I am sure of it.”

McGee told SVI Media that Bringhurst’s family, who lived in Springville, Utah, owned a second home in Auburn and would come visit to get out of the busy Utah lifestyle. Nick would refer to the Auburn home as “inheritance ranch” and was always wanting to eventually build on the land.

“Nick loved snowmobiling so much,” explained McGee. “He became volunteer hill help for our local Star Valley Ridge Riders and would spend three days every year at the Afton-Simplot Hill Climbs protecting the riders and sleds.”

On Sunday, January 11, Nick was caught in an avalanche while riding in the LaBarge Creek area near Commissary Ridge, southeast of Star Valley. Bringhurst’s friend initiated CPR after finding him buried under roughly two feet of snow. However, Bringhurst passed away, with Lincoln County Coroner Dain Schwab confirming “asphyxia caused by an avalanche” as the official cause of death.

Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson said Bringhurst was prepared with avalanche gear. “He had an avalanche pack that activated but didn’t save him, unfortunately,” stated Johnson during a live interview on SVI Radio. “Our condolences to the family. It’s heartbreaking and we wish them the best.”

The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center is continuing their investigation of the incident, but did release a preliminary report stating that the snow “appears to have failed on the rain crust that formed around the Christmas holiday” on a small but steep west facing slope above LaBarge Creek. In a video released by the center on Monday from the site of the avalanche, snowmobilers were advised to “steer clear of steep terrain, rollovers, creek beds that act as terrain traps and thin spots in the snowpack which can be hard to identify.” Additional details and a daily avalanche forecast can be found at BridgerTetonAvalancheCenter.org.

This was the second fatality in the area in less than two weeks. Afton resident Jaram Arnold was killed after rolling his snowmobile near the LaBarge Creek Guard Station on January 1. “Unfortunately the worst kind of incidents that resulted in a loss of life in both cases,” stated Sheriff Johnson. “It’s a tough thing. Shoutout to Star Valley Search & Rescue. They’re the ones that respond up there and handle it. They’re all a volunteer group and just do a great job.”