Routt County Search and Rescue Volunteer Caught In Avalanche During Rescue Near Steamboat, Colorado
Steamboat Springs, Colorado – On Thursday, January 12, 2017 Routt County Search and Rescue was notified at 3:45pm to respond to a lost skier and snowboarder in need of assistance near Buffalo Pass in the North Fork of the Fish Creek drainage.
Despite high avalanche danger, 4 SAR volunteers responded to the scene. In order to reach the lost skier and snowboarder, SAR had to cross a known avalanche path. The two Minnesotans, who were in their mid-40’s and were not equipped for backcountry travel, had already crossed this path.
The SAR volunteers crossed the path one at a time. Jay Bowman, the third SAR member across the path, “triggered an avalanche and was swept about 300 feet before hitting an aspen tree” (SteamboatToday.com). The avalanche was 100’ wide, 600’ long, and 1-2’ deep.
Bowman was not buried and managed to stay with the SAR group and reach the lost skiers and snowboarders. Once the group was evacuated, Bowman was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery on Friday for a broken arm, leg fractures, and a laceration to the head. He is expected to make a full recovery.
This is a good reminder that Search and Rescue is made up of volunteers who put their life on the line to help others in need of assistance in the backcountry.
Update 2/2: According to the DenverPost.com, the Minnesotans claim ““It wasn’t like we were morons who went off the bus with not a hope and a prayer.” They state that they had gear and made a wrong turn. They had not been rescued previously. Read the full story here.
See Also: Backcountry Rescue In Steamboat May Cost Up To $500 Per Person
