3 skiers presumed dead in Colorado avalanche
SILVERTRON, Colo. – Three experienced skiers, missing since Monday, are now presumed dead after being caught in a Colorado avalanche near Silvertron.
According to Vail Daily, four well-known Eagle County skiers were among a larger group of seven backcountry skiers who triggered the slide, and one of those who became trapped was recovered by other members of the group, having suffered only minor injuries.
A preliminary report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center confirmed that search-and-rescue efforts were suspended temporarily on Tuesday night amid the threat of further avalanches and would resume Wednesday morning. However, DeAnne Gallegos of the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management categorized Wednesday’s activities to reporters as a recovery mission, The Washington Post reported.
Gallegos also confirmed that searchers have determined the location of the missing skiers but are uncertain how deeply they might be buried, Vail Daily reported.
The skiers reportedly triggered the avalanche in an area of the southwestern portion of the state known as “The Nose,” located between the towns of Silvertron and Ophir, just south of Telluride, the Post reported.
Specifically, the avalanche “released” on a northeast-facing slope at about 11,500 feet, sweeping the four unidentified men along before burying three of them with debris, Vail Daily reported.
“We are hoping for a successful recovery mission (Wednesday),” Gallegos told the newspaper, noting that a large storm is expected to arrive in the area, potentially complicating or delaying those efforts.
According to the outlet, a total of 10 skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers have been caught in avalanches in the area this season, resulting in eight burials and four fatalities.
