PARK CITY — A Clinton, Utah man killed in a Dutch Draw avalanche in a popular backcountry area has been identified.
Kevin Jack Steuterman, 31, died Friday, while snowboarding in the Dutch Draw area. Which is just off the 9990 chairlift in the Canyons area of Park City Ski Resort.
“Our hearts break for the Steuterman family and friends. Hug your loved ones often and tell them you love them.” Summit County Sheriff Justin Martinez tweeted Monday while releasing Steuterman’s name.
No Rescue Gear
Steuterman was with his girlfriend around 10 a.m. when the avalanche occurred. According to the Utah Avalanche Center, Steuterman was buried under 2 feet of snow in a slide that was 150 feet wide and 400 feet long.
Steuterman was on a snowboard and his girlfriend was on skis. Neither was carrying avalanche rescue gear.
“At the top of Silver Peak the rider began a descent of a slope called Conehead. When the snowboarder was halfway down the slope, the skier started her descent. After making two turns, the avalanche broke at her feet. The snowboarder was still midway down the slope where he was caught, carried, and buried in the avalanche. The skier was not caught in the avalanche,” the center stated.
Search and Recovery
The Park City Mountain Ski Patrol, Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter, Park City Fire District and University of Utah AirMed helicopter all assisted the sheriff’s office in the search and recovery effort. Explosives were dropped from the DPS helicopter to trigger a second slide near the first one. In order to make sure the area was safe before rescuers got onto the mountain, according to the center.
Steuterman’s body was found about 2:30 p.m.
“His snowboard was still attached to one foot while his other foot had been pulled out of his boot,” the avalanche center stated.
Popular Area with a bad history
Dutch Draw is a popular area for snowboarders and skiers, but has also been the scene of several fatal avalanches, including December 15 2019, February 23, 2012, and January 15, 2005.
