A pair of backcountry skiers triggered a deep, persistent slab avalanche on Tuesday with one person getting caught and buried up to his neck according to a report from CAIC.
The duo were ski touring north of Jones Pass when they decided to ski a southeastern facing aspect. During the descent, the second skier on the slope triggered the slide, which caught his partner below. He was able to locate the buried victim but the victim was in no shape to self rescue or ski down.
Flight for Life was ultimately called in by the local sheriff’s department. The man caught in the avalanche was transported via helicopter to a hospital for further medical treatment.
Avalanche Details:
- Type – Hard Slab
- Trigger – Skier
- Size – R2, D2
- Aspect – SE
- Elevation – 12,665′
Yesterday, 12/18/2018, a backcountry tourer was caught, carried, buried to his neck, and injured in an avalanche north of Jones Pass on a southeast-facing slope near the ridgeline. Prelim report is here: https://t.co/J57x0xLRg6#gettheforecast #Coavalancheinfo #CAICFrontrange pic.twitter.com/qKrMtbu5tT
— Friends of CAIC (@friendsofCAIC) December 19, 2018
The extent of the victim’s injuries remains unknown. We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.
Find the entire report here: 2018/12/18 – Colorado – West Fork of Clear Creek, North of Jones Pass