The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed in a Feb. 20 avalanche up the South Fork of the Flathead River.
Charles John Dundon III, 33, of Connell, Wash., was buried in the slide that occurred at about 4 p.m. on Monday while he and a friend were riding snowmobiles in the Lost Johnny drainage.
According to Sheriff Chuck Curry, the avalanche appeared to be triggered by the snowmobiles. Dundon was swept away and buried in the slide. His friend was also swept away but was not buried.
After conducting a search for Dundon, his friend rode out to Hungry Horse where he contacted 911. Rescuers from North Valley Search and Rescue, the sheriff’s office and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the scene.
Avalanche danger remains high, Curry said, and anyone recreating in the backcountry is urged to use extreme caution.
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