Ouray Avalanche Kills One

A guided climb in Ouray Saturday inadvertently caused an avalanche that resulted in one climber dying.

Van Le Little of Seattle, Washington was climbing with others when ice apparently fell and caused an avalanche that swept her down the hill and into the river while she was taking pictures of the other climbers.

The group was climbing the dungeon ice climbing route south of Ouray and Little had separated herself from the group and was taking pictures when a large chunk of ice fell and impacted the ledge above them, spurring the avalanche that ultimately swept Little down and into the river where she died.

No other climbers were injured during the avalanche and an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death of Van Le Little.