CAIC

Avalanche Details

Location: Near Trico Peak, west of Red Mountain Pass
State: Colorado
Date: 2019/01/03
Time: 1:00 PM (Estimated)
Summary Description: 3 snowshoers caught, 1 partially buried
Primary Activity: Hiker
Primary Travel Mode: Snowshoe

Number

Caught: 3
Fully Buried: 0
Injured: 0
Killed: 0

Avalanche

Type: HS
Trigger: AI - Snowshoer
Trigger (subcode): u - An unintentional release
Size - Relative to Path: R3
Size - Destructive Force: D2
Sliding Surface: --

Site

Slope Aspect: SE
Site Elevation: 12300 ft
Slope Angle: --
Slope Characteristic: Planar Slope

Accident Summary

A party of three snowshoers was ascending a southeast-facing slope above treeline. They were spaced about 5 to 10 feet apart. Snowshoer 3 punched through the upper snowpack layers and triggered the avalanche. The avalanche caught all three. Snowshoer 3 was buried up to his chest. Snowshoers 1 and 2 were able to assist Snowshoer 3. All were uninjured and returned to their vehicle.

Media

Images

<b>Figure 1:</b> Snowshoers triggered and were caught in this avalanche. Southeast aspect near 12,300', southwest of Red Mountain Pass, January 3 2019. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/nk3tgymkut72icwntlca3xt197d2?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=c6c5fd28511abe6e6a671484a02c7739','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 2:</b> Snowshoers triggered and were caught in this avalanche. Southeast aspect near 12,300', southwest of Red Mountain Pass, January 3 2019. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/7bfdap9tma9fmnwz57ae14kxopxh?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=96d292dee6bd4bf0c99dbe291ebad408','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)