Avalanche
On April 28, a snowshoer fell off a cornice and triggered two avalanches during a whiteout storm on Bald Mountain near Breckenridge, Colorado.
The snowshoer, who was from outside the county but familiar with the area, became disoriented in the white-out conditions and accidentally stepped off a cornice, sliding 900 feet. While trying to climb out, he triggered a small avalanche and called 911 to initiate a rescue.
“While descending after abandoning a summit attempt, a snowshoer became disoriented in a whiteout/clouds and fell off the cornice edge. While attempting to climb back out they triggered a D1 Storm Slab avalanche that ran approximately 900ft. They were caught and carried but ultimately not buried. They were able to call 911 which initiated a search and rescue response. The party said they were stuck and voiced concerns about triggering additional avalanches. While attempting to traverse to a nearby ridge they triggered a second, smaller avalanche but did not get carried. Summit County Rescue Group responded to the scene and were able to help the stuck party back to the ridgeline with the assistance of a rope system. The height of the cornice was 20-30ft tall and overhung. It should be noted the cornice did not fail in this case, the party walked off the edge.”
As rescuers made their way to the snowshoer, he triggered a second avalanche but was not carried away. The Summit County Rescue Group was able to safely extract the snowshoer using ropes and harnesses.
The incident highlights the dangers of spring snowpack conditions, which can become less stable and more reactive as temperatures rise. Rescue crews advised the importance of having a GPS device and being cautious of cornices, which can break and cause significant avalanches.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has warned of increased avalanche risk in the area following the recent storm.
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