A large avalanche was caught on camera as it roared down Ajax Peak near Telluride about noon on Jan. 24.
The slide released on the southeastern flank of the peak then crossed and covered Bridal Veil Falls Road, according to the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office. No injuries or property damage were reported.
Deputies reported at least 10 smaller slides in the area. According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the avalanche danger that day was rated “considerable” at and above timberline.
Three avalanches have caught backcountry recreationists, killing one, in the San Juan Mountains this winter.
On Dec. 16, a snowmobiler near Hermosa Peak was buried by an avalanche while trying to climb a slope. Group members quickly reached the victim, who was unresponsive when his head was uncovered. He was revived and uninjured.On Jan. 3, a party of three snowshoers were ascending a southeast-facing slope near Trico Peak west of Red Mountain Pass. One snowshoer punched through the upper snowpack layers and triggered the avalanche, which caught all three people. One snowshoer, buried up to his chest, was dug out by the other two. All were uninjured and returned to their vehicle.On Jan. 5, Peter Marshall died after being buried in an avalanche on Upper Senator Beck Basin, near Red Mountain Pass. Marshall was participating in a class with the Silverton Avalanche School when two avalanches were released.On Jan. 25, a snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche in Dark Canyon, in the La Sal Mountains of southeast Utah. His party attempted a rescue but was unable to locate him as night was falling. On Jan. 26, the man’s body was recovered in the afternoon after a search that included San Juan and Grand County search and rescue agencies, Utah Department of Public Safety and rescue dogs and handlers from Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, and Alta and Park City ski areas.
