Multiple Avalanches Reported In Colorado Backcountry | One Skier Injured In Large Slide On Bald Mountain
Colorado has been pummeled by snow so far this season. It’s made for great early season conditions, but it also means the avalanche dragon is lurking and Summit County Rescue Group is busy. Multiple avalanches were reported this weekend, and one avalanche near Breckenridge, Colorado injured a backcountry skier.
At around 2 PM on November 21, 2015 a skier triggered a large avalanche on the north ridge of Bald Mountain dropping into French Gulch. Snowbrains.com reports that the solo skier was caught and partially buried up to his waist in steep terrain. He was able to call 911 for help and Search and Rescue quickly respond. The skier was evacuated by a Flight For Life helicopter late on Saturday afternoon for treatment.
According to the CAIC’s official report, the avalanche was human triggered on a 38 degree slope at 12,850′. It was 1400 feet wide and some reports say it was up to 15 feet deep at its deepest point. The following CAIC video claims it was 40 cm to 180 cm in depth. It was a persistent slab avalanche that stopped above tree line on a natural bench feature. For more photos of this avalanche incident, visit the CAIC’s official report.
Summit County Rescue Group responded to multiple avalanches over the weekend. Including slides at 2nd Steep Gully west of A-Basin and at the top of Loveland Pass.
Luckily, no one died in the Bald Mountain avalanche incident. It certainly had serious potential to be a killer. Be safe out there.
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