The scene of the slide. Photo: Colorado Avalanche Information Center
According to reports coming out of northern Colorado yesterday, a 44-year-old snowboarder was killed in an avalanche on Berthoud Pass near Winter Park after triggering the slide. Another slide was triggered simultaneously, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, and up to four people were apparently caught in the debris. This from CAIC:
“A snowboarder triggered an avalanche on Berthoud Pass Monday and was caught and killed. This fatal avalanche was on a slope very near where another snowboarder triggered a similar avalanche around the same time. Conditions are similar across much of the Northern and Central Mountains on Tuesday. This is a tragic reminder that you can trigger a dangerous avalanche on many wind-loaded slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. Our sincere condolences to all the friends and family of the deceased”.
Local reporting stated that the slide happened on the west side of Berthoud Pass. “Bystanders and family members,” rescued one of the victims. The other two were also able to free themselves of the debris. Winter Park is on Highway 40 north of I-70 and west of Denver. The Berthoud Pass area is actually an abandoned ski area that ran intermittently between 1937 and 2001. It has long been a touring destination for backcountry enthusiasts.
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