Date: September 20, 2014
Contact: Denise Germann, 406 888 5838
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.
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.
