An avalanche in the Greys River claimed the life of a 56-year-old man from Ironwood, Michigan Wednesday. The slide occurred in the Squaw Creek Drainage of the Salt River Range.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says that Star Valley Search & Rescue, Alpine Fire and EMS, Lincoln County Sheriff Deputies and WHP units were paged to the area at 3:44 in the afternoon. Multiple snowmobilers had been caught in the avalanche which was triggered by one of the riders. Some members of the group were able to free themselves. Greg Stanczak of Michigan was buried until members of the group were able to dig him out and perform life saving efforts. However, Stanczak succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center says they will be conducting an investigation into the slide. Avalanche conditions in the Greys River area remain dangerous, with yesterday’s and today’s conditions listed as “Considerable.” Today’s report from the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center says “over the past week, there have been many large human-triggered and natural avalanches in the forecast areas. Backcountry travelers could encounter these dangerous avalanche conditions today, and when traveling in avalanche-prone terrain are likely to trigger large to very large avalanches. Expert snowpack and terrain analysis skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain, and if triggered slides could run long distances.”