Yesterday afternoon, a group of backcountry skiers were caught in an avalanche near Silverton, CO. It is being reported that a 23-year-old Durango man, Peter Carver, died in the slide. John Duncan Rothwell, 53, suffered a possible broken femur, and Nate Klema, 23, escaped without serious injuries.
The accident occurred about 1½ miles north of Gladstone on Bureau of Land Management land outside the boundaries of Silverton Mountain Ski Area, Skinner said.
Ski area staff and Sheriff’s Deputy John Jacobs responded to the scene and removed the body.
Avalanche Details from Colorado Avalanche Information Center |
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Accident Summary
Three skiers approached the top of ‘Clothesline’, a ski run off of the Corkscrew Pass road. Skier 1 entered the run and skied part way down the slope before stopping behind a tree. Skier 2 entered and skied a similar area before stopping below Skier 1. Skier 3 entered the run to the right of the previous tracks, began to ski, and triggered the avalanche. Skier 3 was pushed up against a tree and partially buried. He was able to quickly extricate himself and could see Skier 1 from his location. Skier 1 was mostly on the surface of the snow but wrapped around a tree. Skier 3 helped Skier 1 out of the snow and accessed his injuries. Skier 1was injured but able to travel downhill. Skiers 3conducted a beacon search and found Skier 2. Skier 2 was fully buried under approximately 5 feet of snow. Skier 2 had no pulse and was not breathing. Skier 3 performed first-aid until Skier 1 arrived. Skiers 1 and 3 decided to go for help. Skier 3 descended into the valley and met up with another group of backcountry skiers. This group reported the incident to the Silverton Mountain ski patrol. Ski area staff responded offering medical care to Skier 1 and transport for Skier 2.
