Accident Report

West of Monarch Pass - CO

1 backcountry tourer caught - not buried - 2025/02/02
Lat: 38.498, Lon: -106.333
Backcountry Area: Sawatch
Published: 2025/02/02

Accident Summary

Observation Summary

A dog triggered (but was not caught in) a D1 wet loose on an E aspect around 1345 above highway 50 near the summit of Monarch Pass. Two skiers rescued the dog and while doing so they each triggered a D1 wet loose, for a total of 3 avalanches. One skier took his/her skis off and triggered the avalanche by walking down the slope, going for a very short ride (less than 5 feet), while the other skier kept his/her skis on and stayed on top of the third avalanche. Air temperatures are hot, ~40°F, sky cover is scattered (3/8), and the snow is wet (pendular regime).

Route Description

Snowstake pullout, Monarch Pass 38.498867,-106.332531

Avalanches

Caught in an avalanche
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Expand to see more details
Date # Elev Asp Type Trig SizeR SizeD Problem Type Location
02/02/2025
1 <TL E L AF/u R1 D1 Loose Wet
02/02/2025
1 <TL E L AS/u R1 D1 Loose Wet
02/02/2025
1 <TL E L AW R1 D1 Loose Wet

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