Rangers recover body of skier killed by avalanche in Glacier

The body of a solo skier apparently killed in an avalanche on Mount Shields was recovered Thursday evening by Glacier National Park rangers.

Flathead County Coroner Ernie Freebury said Brian C. Wright, 37, of East Glacier and Whitefish, was found by some friends who began looking for him after he left earlier in the week for a ski trip in Glacier.

The friends located Wright's vehicle at the trailhead in the southern portion of the Park. They then hiked into a spot they knew Wright frequented and found his body at the base of an avalanche chute.

The friends called Park rangers about 3 p.m. April 1, but Park rangers aren't sure if the accident happened Tuesday or Wednesday, said Park spokesman Wade Muehlhof.

Three rangers flew to the scene via Minuteman helicopter service and recovered Wright's body.

Freebury said it was apparent Wright died at the scene and was the only victim.

An investigation into the incident was continuing today.