Backcountry Snowboarder Triggered and Carried by Avalanche Near Crested Butte, CO

On December 15, a backcountry snowboarder triggered and was caught in an avalanche on Snodgrass Mountain, north of Crested Butte, CO.

The boarder was swept into a tree and injured. The party called 911 and was assisted out of the field by organized rescuers.

See preliminary report below:

Avalanche Details

• Location: Snodgrass Mountain,
• State: Colorado
• Date: 2020/12/15
• Time: 2:15 PM (Estimated)
• Summary Description: One snowboarder caught and injured
• Primary Activity: Backcountry Tourer
• Primary Travel Mode: Snowboard

Number

• Caught: 1
• Fully Buried: 0
• Injured: 0
• Killed: 0

Avalanche

• Type: SS
• Trigger: AR – SnowboarderTrigger (subcode): u – An unintentional release
• Size – Relative to Path: R2
• Size – Destructive Force: D1.5
• Sliding Surface: O – Within Old Snow

Site

• Slope Aspect: NE
• Site Elevation: 10000 ft
• Slope Angle: —
• Slope Characteristic: Planar Slope

Accident Summary

A skier and splitboarder skinned up the southern side of Snodgrass Mountain. They descended the north side, near an area called First Bowl. At around 10,000’, the splitboarder was caught in a slab avalanche. The avalanche carried the boarder into a tree, injuring his leg. The party was able to call 911 and was assisted out of the field by organized rescuers.