1 Skier Died in Colorado Avalanche on Friday
Avalanche activity has increased of late and one solo skier paid the ultimate price.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reported that a solo skier was caught, buried and killed in an avalanche near the Gunnison zone on Friday (Dec. 18).
During the incident, the skier was at an elevation around 10,500 feet in the northeast end of the Anthracite Range in an area known locally as Friendly Finish.
After the avalanche rumbled, other skiers in the area went to locate the victim. They found and extricated the victim from the debris but unfortunately he had already passed.
Three other people had been caught in avalanches during the past week, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. One other skier was reported as seriously injured in a different incident.
There were reports of 460 avalanches, including 110 that were human-triggered, between from Dec. 11-18.
Those who heading into backcountry are asked to visit colorado.gov/avalanche before venturing out and are asked to stick to slopes of 30 degrees or less.