Accident Report
Gold King Basin, north of Ophir - CO
1 backcountry tourer caught - not buried - 2025/05/27
Backcountry Area: Northern San Juan
Status: Final Report
Published: 2025/05/30
Authors: Public Observation Updated by CAIC Staff
Accident Summary
Observation Summary
After ascending a N facing chute with very firm snow, we chose to descend a more eastern face that had softened up. First rider snowboarded the face and rode through the choke, to the N facing chute below. He radioed to communicate good conditions other than a short section of rotten snow in the choke. Second skier took the same line, and as he was slipping through the choke, triggered a loose wet that quickly stepped down. Skier was able to get off the sliding snow and was not carried. Skiers 2 and 3 elected to down climb past the choke until they could re enter the line on supportive
Route Description
Ascended a N facing chute in gold king basin, descended a NE-E face.
Avalanche
Triggered avalanche
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Date | # | Elev | Asp | Type | Trig | SizeR | SizeD | Problem Type | Location |
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05/27/2025
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1 | >TL | NE | WS | AS/u | R1 | D1 | Wet Slab |
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Date, Time & Site
Date and Time
05/27/2025 -
12:00pm
(known) Comments
Incident
Yes
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