Ice climber dies in avalanche

HELENA – World-class ice climber Guy Lacelle died Thursday morning in an avalanche during an ice climbing event in southwestern Montana, his sponsor confirmed.

John Irvine, the sports marketing manager for Arc’teryx, said he learned of Lacelle’s death from a festival organizer. Arc’teryx makes ice climbing equipment and sponsors Lacelle and is a sponsor of the Bozeman Ice Festival.

Irvine said Lacelle, 54, was a foreman for a tree planting company in British Columbia and took the winters off to ice climb.

Patrol Sgt. Jason Jarrett with Gallatin County Search and Rescue said 22 rescuers responded to the Grotto Falls area of Hyalite Canyon on Thursday afternoon to retrieve the body.

Deputy Chief Coroner Dan Springer said the cause and manner of death hadn’t been determined.