Avalanche Kills 2 MN Men During Snowmobile Ride At Yellowstone

STEARNS COUNTY, MINNESOTA — Two men from Stearns County were killed Monday when an avalanche hit a group of snowmobile riders in Yellowstone National Park, according to officials.

The coroner for Park County, Montana, identified the two men as 43-year-old Jesse Thelen, of Paynesville, and 40-year-old Carl Thelen, of St. Martin, the Associated Press reported, citing The Livingston Enterprise.

The Thelens were riding with six other Minnesota snowmobilers Monday on Scotch Bonnet Mountain in Yellowstone when two of the group got stuck, according to the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

Two others rode over to help, triggering an avalanche that buried Jesse and Carl Thelen under 4-5 feet of snow, officials said.

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Both were found after the avalanche by their fellow riders, who unsuccessfully tried to save them, according to the Park County Sheriff’s Office.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s friends and family, members of the group and the search and rescue community,” officials from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center said.

https://t.co/I8wR19RqHj
On Monday, two snowmobilers were caught and killed in an avalanche on Scotch Bonnet Mountain, north of Cooke City. Wind loaded slopes remain the danger throughout our forecast area. A CONSIDERABLE danger in the south and MODERATE in the north. pic.twitter.com/kuxrPbLj52
— GNF Avalanche Center (@GNF_Avalanche) December 29, 2021

The Park County Sheriff’s Office said it also received reports after the avalanche Monday that two other riders from Minnesota had not made it to their destination. A search and rescue team looked for both snowmobilers but could not find them Monday night, police said.

The two riders were located Tuesday “after unintentionally spending the night out” Monday, police said, urging snowmobilers “to always check the avalanche report and assess current local conditions before riding in avalanche terrain.”

A GoFundMe campaign launched to support the family of Carl Thelen has raised more than $6,500, as of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.