Accident Report
Maroon Lake, southwest of Aspen - CO
1 backcountry tourer caught - not buried - 2025/05/01
Backcountry Area: Aspen
Status: Final Report
Published: 2025/05/05
Authors: Public Observation updated by CAIC Staff
Accident Summary
A solo backcountry skier triggered an avalanche on their second turn from the top. The skier was caught but was able to ski off the moving debris without injury. The skier then traveled down the slope around the debris and out of the backcountry without further incident.
Observation Summary
wet slide avalanche triggered by skier at top of slope (first couloir on left after walking from Maroon bells parking lot towards lake, over bridge on left). Skier triggered wet slide at 10:30am after taking 2 turns from the top, caught and slid around 100ft and was able to safely ski out. Slide around 300ft long on upper 1/3 of slope.
Route Description
Maroon Bells first slope on left when arriving at lake from parking lot
Avalanche
Caught in an avalanche
A skier triggered and was caught but not buried
|
i
Expand to see more details
|
Date | # | Elev | Asp | Type | Trig | SizeR | SizeD | Problem Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
05/01/2025
|
1 | TL | N | WL | AS/u | R1 | D1 | Loose Wet |
|
|
|
Date, Time & Site
Date and Time
05/01/2025 -
10:30pm
(known) Comments
Area Description
Maroon Bells first slope on left when arriving at lake from parking lot
Incident
Yes
|
||||||||||
Snowpack
Cracking:
Moderate
Collapsing:
None