21-year-old backcountry skier Aidan Welch is lucky to be alive after tumbling 800 feet down a mountain in Tahoe. The incident happened a couple weeks ago near Kirkwood Mountain Resort in south Lake Tahoe.
Welch was by himself as he attempted to walk down with his skis off from the summit of Round Top and lost his footing. He slid uncontrollably 800-feet down the mountain and when he finally came to a stop had suffered a shattered left heel, dislocated left shoulder, broken and dislocated left upper arm bone, a broken right hand, a cut eyelid, and a mild concussion.
Alone, severely injured and with no cellular connection Welch was forced to travel 4.5 miles back to his car. After an 8 hour ordeal, Welch finally made back to his vehicle where he was met by a waiting Alpine County Sheriff’s deputy. The deputy was alerted to his location thanks to a friend who had tracked his coordinates using apps like Life 360 and Snapchat after becoming concerned due to his delayed return from his excursion.
Welch was immediately rushed to the hospital where he remains recovering from his injuries.
