Connect with us

Wyoming

Snowmobiler spends three days, nights in Wyoming blizzard before rescue

Published

on

Snowmobiler spends three days, nights in Wyoming blizzard before rescue







Advertisement

Snowmobilers T.J. Larsen and Jordan Zink discovered David Madsen stranded within the Bighorn Mountains on Feb. 23.




A Minnesota snowmobiler was rescued from the Bighorn Mountains late final month after being stranded for 3 nights in sub-zero climate.

David Madsen, 65, of Hawick, Minnesota, survived the unplanned outing by digging a snow cave beneath his snowmobile.

Advertisement

Madsen wasn’t reported lacking as a result of he had left his room on the Bear Lodge Resort at Burgess Junction atop the mountains for a solo day journey. It wasn’t till his motel invoice went unpaid three days later that employees reported him lacking. By then, Madsen had lastly been situated by snowmobilers T.J. Larsen, of Gillette, and Jordan Zink, of Sheridan, who simply occurred to seek out the stranded sledder.

“We actually need folks to have enjoyable, however folks don’t understand how excessive the situations are up there this 12 months,” mentioned Ken Blackburn, Bighorn County Sheriff.

As of this week, the snowpack at Burgess Junction was 42 inches deep.

Individuals are additionally studying…

Advertisement






First-aid

Minnesota snowmobiler David Madsen receives first-aid remedy at Antelope Butte lodge within the Bighorn Mountains after being rescued.

Advertisement




After Madsen’s machine bought caught he reportedly determined to attend out the blizzard on Feb. 21, with winds blowing at 23 mph as snow fell. By midnight, the temperature had dropped to 2 levels. The subsequent day, the temperature plunged beneath zero for your complete day as winds continued to blow at 10 to 21 mph. Then it bought actually chilly, with temperatures plunging as little as minus 17 by Feb. 23. Madsen was lastly found round midday of his third time out.

His rescuers reportedly discovered him close to Crooked Creek, previous Shell Canyon and about 19 miles from his place to begin at Burgess Junction. Elevations in that area are round 8,000 ft.

Larsen and Zink shuttled Madsen to the close by Antelope Butte ski lodge the place search and rescue personnel administered first-aid. He was ultimately airlifted to St. Vincent’s Healthcare in Billings for remedy on account of his extended publicity to the chilly.

Advertisement

In an space the place climate situations can rapidly flip excessive, Sheriff Blackburn mentioned snowmobilers and different recreationists ought to journey with a associate and be ready with survival tools; make a plan; let somebody know what the plan is and when you’ll return; and have some kind of communication system.

He additionally famous the world is roofed by short-wave radio the place frequency 307 can be utilized for emergency calls.







Airlift

A helicopter lifts off after selecting up David Madsen for transport to St. Vincent’s Healthcare.

Advertisement




“These conditions can get out of hand really easy,” he mentioned. “We want him a speedy restoration.”

Blackburn praised Larsen and Zink for rescuing Madsen.

“These good Samaritans are the true heroes of the day,” he mentioned.

Advertisement

Madsen’s sister mentioned her brother was nonetheless in Billings receiving remedy for his accidents as of Tuesday.

In 2002, Olympic champion wrestler Rulon Gardner misplaced a toe to frostbite after just one night time out when he bought his snowmobile caught close to his Afton, Wyoming, dwelling. Gardner spent 17 hours wandering in temperatures that dropped to 25-below zero earlier than he was discovered.

In different out of doors information, two recreationists had been killed in current southwest Montana accidents.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Workplace reported the loss of life of a snowmobiler on March 3 alongside the Two High Path, 6 miles west of West Yellowstone. Christopher Berg was reportedly discovered useless on the scene after putting a tree on his sled. Velocity was reportedly an element within the crash.

The Sheriff’s Workplace additionally reported the identify of an accident sufferer who died as the results of vital head trauma whereas snowboarding Headwaters Bowl at Large Sky Resort. Robin Soare, 50, of Phoenix, Arizona, died on Feb. 12. Soare was transported to Bozeman Well being Deaconess Hospital after the accident the place she died of her accidents, unintentional blunt-force trauma.

Advertisement

In two different incidents within the area, solo recreationists had been efficiently evacuated by search and rescue. On Feb. 26 the county’s Heli Staff evacuated a person from Circle Mountain southwest of Large Sky after the person fell sick and was too exhausted to self-rescue.

On Feb. 19, a snowmobiler grew to become caught close to Storm Fortress Mountain and was capable of talk with a GPS system. Search and rescue crews responded and helped free the caught rider.

They realized a helpful lesson that day- give these beats some house. Yair Ben-Dor has extra.


Advertisement



Source link

Wyoming

Wyoming Supreme Court decision on abortion will come at later date

Published

on

Wyoming Supreme Court decision on abortion will come at later date





Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Wyoming

Respecting Nature: A Guide To Safe Wildlife Viewing In Wyoming

Published

on

Respecting Nature: A Guide To Safe Wildlife Viewing In Wyoming


It’s always wildlife viewing season in Wyoming, and I hope you’ll be cautious and responsible while checking out our vast wildlife. You’d think that would be something that doesn’t need to be said, but it is.

Seeing wildlife is an exciting time, not just for tourons, but anytime you get to see animals in the wild, it’s awesome.

We hear stories all the time about people who get too close to bison, bear, elk, wolves, or moose. Many stories don’t have a good outcome and end in a visit to the emergency room.

Again, showing respect for the animals shouldn’t be said, but it has to be. Before embarking on your animal viewing adventure, you should think about the proper distance to stay away, the best viewing practices, and what tools to use to have the best chance of seeing the animals without disturbing them.

Advertisement

Here are a few tips for you to remember that will surely enhance your experience.

  • Stay a safe distance away from the animals you’re looking at.
    • 100 yards from Grizzlies and wolves.
    • 25 yards from animals like deer, elk, bison, or moose.
    • 25 to 50 feet from birds or smaller animals.
  • Recognize the signs of a threat from an animal.
    • Keep an eye open for grunts, growls, pawing at the ground, snorting, or if the animal seems disturbed by your presence.
  • Carry personal safety items like bear spray, and know how to use them.
  • Make noise. Let them know you’re there without causing the animals to panic, so they don’t get spooked.
  • Do not feed the animals.
    • Keep your food secure and sealed in a bear-resistant container or cooler.
  • Do your research and know the best times and areas to view certain animals.
  • Stay on trails, in designated viewing areas, and do not remove items from nature.
  • If you pack it in, pack it out. Leaving trash and food scattered is dangerous to the animals and others around you.
  • Keep your head on a swivel.
    • Even though some animals are large and you think you can see them coming, they can be stealthy and be upon you in seconds.
  • Know where you are at all times. You don’t want to wander off the trail and end up on someone else’s property or get lost and need help.
  • If you’re not experienced in the area where you are, go with a guide or someone who is.

Have fun, be safe, take pictures, and respect the wildlife.

9 Important Items To Carry With You When Viewing Wildlife In Wyoming

Gallery Credit: Drew Kirby, Townsquare Media

Top 25 Wild Mammals That Call Wyoming Home

Wyoming is home to well over 100 mammal species.

Gallery Credit: Getty Images

Identifying Wyoming’s Most Common Wildlife Droppings





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Wyoming

50-Degree Temperature Plunge, Snow On The Way For Much Of Wyoming

Published

on

50-Degree Temperature Plunge, Snow On The Way For Much Of Wyoming


Enjoy the unseasonably warm April weather while it lasts, because it’ll be gone by Thursday.

A slow-moving cold front will move across Wyoming between Wednesday night and Friday. When it does, temperatures will drop up to 50 degrees in some places, and the entire state will get some snow.

“At this time of year, you can see the pendulum swing from one direction to another very quickly,” said Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day. “We’re going to see equal but opposite extremes in temperature on Thursday and Friday, and just about everyone’s going to see snow.”

Pendulum Swings

Day categorized the incoming cold front as “a true taste of winter” returning to Wyoming. That’s not uncommon in April, but the intense reversal will catch a lot of Wyomingites off guard.

Advertisement

“Last week, we had temperatures in the 70s and 80s,” he said. “This Friday, temperatures will be more than 50 degrees colder in places. I’m looking at 32 degrees in Cody, 28 degrees in Cheyenne and 25 degrees in Laramie. And those are the highs.”

Thursday night and Friday morning temperatures could be in the upper teens and lower 20s, and Day wouldn’t be surprised to see subzero temperatures in Yellowstone National Park.

However, Day wouldn’t categorize this as an extreme switch, especially during a historically volatile month like April. It’s just the luck of the draw in Wyoming.

“One thing about Wyoming is that we’re situated to be affected by air masses from much different source regions,” he said. “¥ou get air out of the deserts today and tomorrow, followed by air out of the Pacific Northwest on Thursday and Friday.

“Sometimes, those air masses switch in less than 24 hours. But the pendulum swinging is normal in April. People talk about what the normal highs and lows should be, but all normal are averages of the extremes.”

Advertisement

When It Snows, It Pours

Between Wednesday night and Friday, nearly all of Wyoming will see some precipitation, probably in the form of snow. However, there’s still some uncertainty about how much precipitation will fall and the proportion of wet snow to cold rain.

“The precipitation moving in with the front may start as rain in some places, or may be all snow in other places,” said meteorologist Celia Hensley with the National Weather Service office in Riverton. “The biggest question mark with this forecast is how intense will it be snowing.”

Hensley said there could be some snow accumulation depending on ground temperature. Snow is expected to start sticking on grassy surfaces, but it could get cold enough to form on roads and highways, especially overnight.

“With temperatures right around that freezing mark, the precipitation should mostly be snow,” she said. “However, given our recent warmth, the time of year, and sun angle, impacts to travel on roadways during the daylight hours should be minimal. Higher elevation areas like mountain passes, Wind River Canyon, and Casper Mountain will be impacted more than lower elevation areas.”

Between Wednesday and Thursday, the entire state of Wyoming could receive up to half an inch of precipitation, rain, or snow.

Advertisement

According to NWS Riverton, communities like Cody, Casper, Buffalo, and Riverton have an 80% to 95% chance of getting over an inch of new snow by Saturday. Lander, meanwhile, has an 85% chance of seeing over four inches of snow during the same period.

“We’re looking at anywhere from three-tenths of an inch of moisture on the low end,” Hensley said. “Some places, especially in the mountains, may see up to an inch of moisture.”

This is one of those cold fronts where a few hundred feet could make all the difference. Hensley said it will be entirely dependent on air and ground temperatures once the snow starts to fall.

“What could be rain or light, misty snow in downtown Riverton could be heavy snow at the NWS Riverton Office, 500 feet higher up,” she said. “A few hundred feet of elevation could make all the difference in snowfall and whether it’s accumulating on roads.”

A slow-moving cold front is heading for Wyoming, which will drop temperatures by as much as 50 degrees for much of the state. It’ll also bring up to 4 inches of wet snow and black ice to some of the most hazardous roads and highways. (Wyoming Department of Transportation)

Will It Be Enough?

Michael Natoli with the NWS Office in Cheyenne is anticipating the “abrupt end” of the warm weather Wyoming has been enjoying for the last two weeks. The cold front should bring its full brunt to southeast Wyoming by Thursday evening.

Advertisement

“We may see some rain showers right at the beginning, but we expect this to transition to snow pretty quickly,” he said. “Amounts are still uncertain, but there is a potential for some accumulating snow, even in the valleys.”

The big question is whether this weather system will be enough to alleviate the drought gripping the southeast corner of Wyoming. Natoli said every drop of moisture is welcome, but the monthly threshold has yet to be reached.

“We’re headed into our wettest time of the year, but just one of these storms is not enough to dent the drought,” he said. “In Cheyenne, the average liquid precipitation in April is close to two inches through the month. So far, we have received essentially nothing. Half an inch of precipitation from this storm is the most likely scenario right now, which is a good amount, but we have a ways to go to make up the long-term deficit.”

Meanwhile, daytime highs in southeast Wyoming will be in the 20s and 30s. There’s no escaping the impact of this winter weather system.

“It’s going to cool down pretty quickly,” Natoli said. “This is going to be a pretty cold storm.”

Advertisement

Morning Warning

The consensus among Wyoming meteorologists is that the incoming cold front will be a full-fledged winter weather system and should be treated as such. That means anyone traveling will want to anticipate what they’ll encounter, depending on their timing.

“I do think there’s going to be travel problems, especially during the night hours,” Day said. “When it’s that cold, the snow accumulates, and ice could accumulate.”

Daytime travel shouldn’t be much of an issue, thanks to the sun angle keeping things just warm and bright enough to melt accumulated ice and snow. According to Day, the biggest “headaches” will be the consistently problematic areas like South Pass, Powder River Pass, Teton Pass, Togwotee Pass, and the section of I-80 between Cheyenne and Rawlins.

“It can freeze and snow during the day, but the April sun is intense enough to get through the clouds,” he said. “The times to watch out for during these April snow events are nights and mornings when it’s dark, and things ice up quickly, and all these areas will be problems overnight on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.”

Get It While It’s Good

The slow-moving cold front will have moved on by the weekend, and temperatures are expected to moderate to seasonal normals. However, Day said this pattern will set a precedent for the rest of April.  

Advertisement

“Next week looks cold and unsettled, with more chances for rain and snow,” he said. “Temperatures over the weekend will still be chilly. It’s not going to stay as cold as it’ll get in Friday, but I expect it to be cooler and unsettled all the way through the end of April.”

According to Day, Wyoming wants it that way. Cooler temperatures will slow the melting of the state’s snowpack, moderating the amount of water flowing into the river basins, fields, and reservoirs.

“You don’t want it to be too warm in April,” he said. “Then people start freaking out about the runoff and the mountains accelerating too quickly. You want it more metered and spread out, and this system will slow down the melt in the high country significantly.”

There could be another pendulum swing into the 80s before the end of April, but Day doesn’t think it’s likely. That leaves him with a simple message of calm before the storm.

“Enjoy the next two days,” he said, “because it’s going to be a bit before it gets this nice again.”

Advertisement

 

Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending