Accident Report

Current Creek, north of Berthoud Pass - CO

1 backcountry tourer partially buried - not critical - 2025/01/25
Lat: 39.814, Lon: -105.78
Backcountry Area: Front Range
Status: Final Report
Published: 2025/02/10
Authors: Public Observation - Updated by CAIC Staff

Accident Summary

Riders 1 and 2 read the avalanche forecast the night before and discussed it again in the morning. They left the Current Creek trailhead around 10AM. They observed drifting snow on their ascent. Rider 1 descended a southeast-facing slope commonly referred to as "Teacup Bowl" while Rider 2 captured video from a safe location. Rider 1 fell midslope and triggered the avalanche. Rider 1 was hit from behind by moving debris and carried downslope. Rider 1 managed to get his snowboard in front of him before he hit a small tree. The impact broke his snowboard, but Rider 1 believes it helped prevent him from being buried. When the debris stopped, Rider 1 was sitting upright with his head above the snow. Rider 1 extricated himself from the debris. The pair encountered another party immediately after the avalanche and assured that group that they could return to the trailhead without assistance.

Avalanche

Caught in an avalanche

Observers noted the avalanche was on a "Cross loaded SE aspect. 11,100 ft elevation. 40-45 degree slope angle. Snowboarder triggered avalanche. Small tree impact prevented any burial possibility, hard slab broke about 30ft above rider. Signs of wind loading, but avalanche broke to the ground indicating persistent weak layer. Crown appeared to show multiple layers."

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Date # Elev Asp Type Trig SizeR SizeD Problem Type Location
01/25/2025
1 <TL SE HS AR/u R2 D1.5 Persistent Slab

Snowpack

Cracking: None
Collapsing: None

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