One Brother Triggers Massive Avalanche, Other Brother Triggers Second Slide During Rescue Attempt | Both Survive And Escape While Thinking The Other Was Dead
Two brothers triggered a massive avalanche and a secondary avalanche in the San Juan mountains near Telluride, Colorado on Wednesday, November 25, 2015. Both thought the other was dead and gone in the slides, but both survived.
Alex and Brian Holmes were skiing a popular backcountry route from Trout Lake to Ophir when Brian began to ski an area called Fatwa near Waterfall Canyon. Alex watched as his brother got caught in an avalanche and carried out of sight. During his rescue efforts, he triggered another avalanche and escaped unharmed. Instead of risking his life in unstable snow conditions, Alex, returned to Trout Lake to get help; thinking that his brother was dead.
Little did Alex know, but Brian was 1,000 feet down slope and still alive. He was partially buried with one arm and his face exposed. He was able to escape after 15 minutes and began a frantic search for Alex – who he thought was buried and gone.
A multi-agency search consisting of San Miguel County Sheriff deputies, local search and rescue personnel, Telluride Ski Patrol, helicopters, and avalanche dogs responded to Alex’s call for help. Brian managed to make a phone call for help too, but no communication was established.
Brian finally make it back to Ophir, despite his non-life threatening injuries. At that point, authorities ended the search for the brothers because they were both alive and accounted for. Both survived a terrifying backcountry experience. Very lucky indeed.
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