CAIC: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

2016/12/11 - Montana - Henderson Mountain, near Cooke City

Published 2016/12/12 by Spencer Logan - Forecaster, CAIC

Avalanche Details

  • Location: Henderson Mountain, near Cooke City
  • State: Montana
  • Date: 2016/12/11
  • Time: 12:00 AM
  • Summary Description: 2 backcountry skiers caught, 1 partially buried, 1 buried and killed
  • Primary Activity: Backcountry Tourer
  • Primary Travel Mode: Ski

Number

  • Caught: 2
  • Fully Buried: 1
  • Injured: 0
  • Killed: 1

Avalanche

  • Type: --
  • Trigger: --
  • Trigger (subcode): --
  • Size - Relative to Path: --
  • Size - Destructive Force: --
  • Sliding Surface: --

Site

  • Slope Aspect: --
  • Site Elevation: --
  • Slope Angle: --
  • Slope Characteristic: --

Accident Summary

PRELIMINARY: A backcountry tourer on skis was killed in an avalanche on Henderson Mountain outside Cooke City. The avalanche was reported to be upwards of 6 feet deep and 100 feet wide and ran through timber. The victim was completely buried and located with an avalanche transceiver by members of his party. One other skier was partially buried, but uninjured. The victim was dug up within 15 minutes and given CPR, but resuscitation was unsuccessful.