A backcountry skier who was on a solo outing on Berthoud Pass became Colorado’s fourth avalanche death this snow season after he was caught in a slide and found dead on Saturday.
Grand County Search and Rescue said the man’s body was discovered after he was reported overdue by family members.
Crews responding to the First Creek area found avalanche debris and then located a pair of goggles. The man’s body was then discovered.
Tonight we are sad to report that GCSAR responded to a fatal avalanche accident in First Creek, near Berthoud Pass. The...
Posted by Grand County Search and Rescue on Saturday, December 26, 2020
Grand County Search and Rescue says the man was fully buried and not wearing an avalanche transceiver, a device that sends out an electronic signal so that avalanche victims can be found if and when they are buried under snow. The device is a basic, key avalanche safety tool for backcountry users.
“Please, please, please be careful out there,” Grand County Search and Rescue said in a Facebook post.
Earlier this month three men were killed in a pair of avalanches over two days. All of them were experiences backcountry skiers.
Avalanche experts have been warning backcountry users that Colorado’s snowpack is very unstable this year and that they should use extra caution.
Read more at The Colorado SunThe Colorado Sun is a reader-supported, journalist-owned news outlet exploring issues of statewide interest. Sign up for a newsletter and read more at coloradosun.com.
