SHOSHONE COUNTY, Idaho — A new report reveals what happened before and after a deadly avalanche in Shoshone County earlier this month.
According to a 14-page report by the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center, three well-prepared men traveled to the Stevens Lake area with the proper gear and training. All three of them were experienced skiers who were reportedly aware of the avalanche dangers. The dangers that day, however, were undeniable.
The report comes less than two weeks after the men were found near Stevens Peak after being caught in an avalanche. Two of the men survived but one, identified as Corey J. Zalewski, was killed.
The accident marks the fifth avalanche fatality in the Silver Valley within the past four years.
The report said the three skiers parked at the Stevens Lake Winter Trail Head shortly after 8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11. From there, they started their trek up the trail. The men even passed an avalanche forecaster in the field and discussed conditions, according to the report.
By 12:14 p.m., the trio made their first descent before heading back up to ski different terrain. On their second descent a few hours later, the report said they went down one at a time in an effort to minimize risks.
According to the report, the first skier descended approximately 400 feet and radioed his friends from a presumably safe location. During the second skier's descent, the avalanche, which was 400 feet wide by 1,000 long, triggered, burying two of the skiers.
Using his beacon, the report said the remaining skier quickly started searching and found Zalewski pinned against a tree with a deployed airbag. The skier unburied Zalewski and cleared his airway, but the report said there were no signs of life.
The other skier was swept further down. His airbag also deployed and he was able to dig himself out, suffering only a broken forearm. The surviving pair then sent an SOS on their GPS, which was relayed to rescuers.
However, poor weather kept helicopters grounded and, in the end, the survivors had to hike out most of the way on their own until rescuers reached them. The following day, a helicopter crew was able to locate the Zalewski and recover his body, according to the report.
Zalewski's former partner issued a statement to KREM 2, saying he "had an amazing sense of humor and was a rock of a human. He had integrity to his core and lived every day with integrity."
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