Two people were killed in an avalanche in the north-central Rocky Mountains. Authorities in Colorado said Sunday.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. They were riding snowmobiles Saturday. When a wave of avalanche struck them on the east face of Mount Epworth in Grand County. About 6 miles east of Winter Park.
The avalanche was reported at 2:15 p.m., and sheriff’s deputies. Search and rescue personnel, ski patrol members. And local Good Samaritans immediately found one of the victims. A 58-year-old man from northern Colorado, buried in the snow. Grand County Sheriff’s Office said.
The other rider was not located, and first responders had to call off. The search because of bad weather, the sheriff’s office said.
Rescuers, including members of the Sheriff’s Office, Grand County Search and Rescue. Grand County EMS Mountain Medical Response Team, Winter Park Ski Patrol. Flight for Life and the Avalanche Center, returned. And discovered the remains of the second victim shortly. Before 11 p.m. Sunday morning sheriff’s office.
The victim was identified only as a 52-year-old. With the coroner expected to release his name later. He was not using an avalanche transceiver. Making his recovery more difficult, officials said.
The avalanche center said the 58-year-old was found with the help of his transceiver. Which is designed to send the locations of lost or buried mountain visitors.
The National Weather Service reported local high temperatures in the low 30s. With overnight lows dropping into the single digits.
Sunday’s discovery means four people have died in Colorado avalanches since Dec. 26. According to Avalanche Center data.
“We encourage those rebuilding in our back country to watch conditions regularly. And follow the advice of our avalanche professionals. At the Colorado Avalanche Information Center,” Sheriff Brett Schrotlin said in a statement.
n New Year’s Eve, a father and his grown son were backcountry skiing. When an avalanche hit them near Breckenridge Ski Resort. About 65 miles south of Winter Park.
According to the Summit County Rescue Group, the father was able to dig himself out.
When a snowboarder inadvertently hit the snow near Bertwood Pass. About 55 miles west of Denver, the Avalanche Center said.
The avalanche center said the riders were a father, who died, and his three teenage sons. Officials later identified the father as Brian Bunnell, 44, of Lakewood. Colorado, NBC affiliate KUSA reported in Denver.
An atmospheric river of precipitation drawn from tropical climates.
Snow can accumulate in areas favored by many backcountry skiers. Two fatal December avalanches occurred in areas with easy access, KUSA reported.
“Inside the ski area boundaries, we have a very dedicated ski patrol. And snow protection team that will work really hard to reduce the avalanche threat inside the ski area boundaries.” Avalanche Center Deputy Director Brian Lazar told the station last month. “No one is doing that right on the other side of that rope.”
Seven out of 20 people caught in avalanches in the 2021-22 season died. According to the Avalanche Center.
