Woman Carried 1,000-Feet and Partially Buried After Triggering Avalanche in Colorado

avalanche, colorado, horn peak — Credit: CCSAR

A woman was injured after she triggered, got caught, and was partially buried in an avalanche while out hiking Saturday, the CAIC reports.

Related: Local Man Killed in Crested Butte, CO Avalanche Identified as Former Councilman and Mountain Guide

The woman was in a group of seven hikers descending Horn Peak’s northeast ridge and started to slide down a steep snowy slope toward a snow-filled gully. Going first, she triggered a wet avalanche which carried her 1,000-feet. She was partially buried with her head above the snow.

CAIC Accident Summary

A group of seven hikers were descending Horn Peak's northeast ridge. On the descent, the group left the ridge to glissade down a snow-filled gully. The first 
person to attempt the glissade triggered a wet avalanche while sliding down the slope. The avalanche carried the person approximately 1000 feet to the bottom of the gully. The person was partially buried with their head above the snow. The person suffered numerous injuries requiring a helicopter evacuation to the 
hospital for care. Custer County Search and Rescue, Fremont County Search and Rescue, El Paso County Search and Rescue, Flight for Life, and the Colorado 
Army National Guard assisted in the rescue.

Horn Peak, located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is one of Colorado’s 13ers.

colorado, horn peak — The slide occurred in the snow-filled looker’s right gully. Credit: CAIC

Custer County Search & Rescue was paged to Horn Peak around 2:45 pm on Saturday regarding a person who had been caught and carried in a soft slab avalanche.

The woman, who suffered numerous injuries, was extracted from the field by a Blackhawk from Buckley AFB on Sunday at 12:10 am and taken by ambulance to a local hospital, according to CCSAR.