Grand Teton National Park (3)—On August 31, 1954, Timothy Kelly (22), with three companions, was descending from Mt. Owen via a snow- filled couloir. Kelly tested the snow and then glissaded in a standing position. He picked up considerable speed because of the shade. In one account he fell on his back and was unable to do a self-arrest, before he struck a rock in the middle of the couloir. In another account he did not attempt an arrest because of the danger of hitting the rocks on the sides of the 15-ft.

wide gully if he were not in perfect control with his self-arrest. He then continued 60 ft. down the gully with increasing speed until the gully fanned out where he was able to go into a self-arrest. Observers said he did this correctly and was slowing down, but he was unable to stop before bumping over a projecting rock in the snow. He then slid into a pile of rocks at the bottom of the couloir, where he received only minor injuries.

Source: Report from Mr. Thomas C. Miller, Acting Superintendent, Grand Teton National Park; the Mountaineer 47:4, 1954 (Dec.).