Well known backcountry sledder killed in avalanche

A well-known backcountry sledder is dead after an avalanche near McCoy creek Thursday afternoon.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office says Josh Roth, 35 of Alpine, Wyoming died from the avalanche while snowmobiling in the area. The avalanche was triggered in a drainage. Sheriff’s Deputies along with Lincoln County Wyoming Search and Rescue, and Air Idaho Rescue responded after getting a call about the avalanche buried on Roth. His riding partner saw the avalanche, found his body underneath 2-3 feet of snow using an avalanche beacon, called the crews help with a cell phone, and performed CPR.

Roth died from his injuries from the slide. Deputies and rescue crews safely recovered his body and take him to the Alpine area.

Josh Roth, is a popular backcountry sledder and even had “ProCamp” program where he would teach many workshops on snowmobiling and outdoor winter adventures. According to his website, Roth hoped to get people more active and involved in the sport of snowmobiling, having fun, being safe, and bettering themselves as backcountry riders.”

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office “would like to remind our backcountry recreationists of the extreme avalanche conditions all over Eastern Idaho at this time. If you choose to snowmobile or enter those areas make sure to use every safety precaution available, carry avalanche beacons and emergency equipment, and tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. “