Rangers Recover Body Near Logan Pass

Park rangers recovered the body of an 18-year old male visitor on Friday afternoon, September 19, in the Big Drift area east of Logan Pass. It is believed the victim, Brandon Luis Avalos, from St. Maries, Idaho, died from an accidental fall.

Park employees in the Logan Pass area were notified by friends of the victim on Friday morning, about 11 a.m., that Avalos had fallen in an area along the Going-to-the-Sun Road east of Logan Pass, and believed to be dead. Park rangers rappelled to the scene and found the deceased man.

An initial investigation indicates that Avalos and three friends were visiting the park late Thursday night, September 18. At approximately 10 p.m. Thursday, the visitors were traveling the Going-to-the-Sun Road and stopped near the Big Drift area east of Logan Pass when Avalos exited the vehicle. Avalos did not return, and the friends thought perhaps he was hiking back to Logan Pass. The friends stayed in the area overnight waiting for Avalos to return. They began looking for him Friday morning, and contacted park employees when they found his body.

It is believed that Avalos climbed over the guard rails along the road and fell approximately 100 feet. The area he fell is very steep with several cliff bands and large areas of rocks.

Glacier County Sheriff's Office determined cause of death as an accidental fall. Park rangers recovered the body at approximately 4 p.m. Friday, and it was transported to a local funeral home.



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Hiking in Glacier National Park