Body of snowmobiler missing for days is found buried under Colorado avalanche snow
A missing snowmobiler was found dead under snow days after an avalanche buried him, officials said.
The man was with four other snowmobilers when he was buried in an avalanche Feb. 25 near La Manga Pass and the Red Lake Trailhead, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
The group reported the incident to rescuers, and they began searching for the missing man, officials said.
Rescuers, avalanche dog teams and forecasters from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center continued the search for the snowmobiler the next day, but couldn’t find him.
On Feb. 27, the man’s body was discovered in the snow, officials said.
His death marks the seventh avalanche-related death in Colorado this season, and 13 deaths have been reported in the U.S. this season as of Feb. 28.
Two skiers were also killed in an avalanche in Colorado on Feb. 25 — the same day as the snowmobiler.
Their bodies were found under 4 feet of snow near Vallecito Reservoir, officials said.
What to know about avalanches
Avalanches happen quickly and catch people by surprise. They can move between 60 and 80 mph and typically happen on slopes of 30-45 degrees, according to experts.
Skiers, snowmobilers and hikers can set off an avalanche when a layer of snow collapses and starts to slide down the slope.
In the U.S., avalanches are most common from December to April, but they can happen at any time if the conditions are right, National Geographic reported.
People heading into snow should always check the local avalanche forecast at Avalanche.org, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, and have an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel ready.
“Emergency services are usually too far away from the scene of an avalanche, and time is important,” Simon Trautman, a national avalanche specialist, said. “A person trapped under the snow may not have more than 20 or 30 minutes. So, in a backcountry scenario, you are your own rescue party.”
If an avalanche breaks out, it’s best to move diagonal to the avalanche to an edge, Trautman said.
“Try to orient your feet downhill so that your lower body, not your head, takes most of the impact,” officials said. “You may also get into a tight ball as another way to protect your head.”
This story was originally published February 28, 2023 at 11:50 AM with the headline "Body of snowmobiler missing for days is found buried under Colorado avalanche snow."
