Summit County Rescue Group

At approximately 2:50 pm today, March 10th, three snowboarders triggered an avalanche in a backcountry area off Highway 6. One man was ahead of the other two and was carried an estimated 1000 feet by the avalanche. His body was almost completely buried and landed one mile west of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on the south side. It took 20 to 25 minutes for his friends to descend to an area where they could make a 911 call.

All three of the men were from Spring Grove, Illinois and two of them, including the victim, have lived in the local area since November. The third was visiting Summit County and had just arrived two days ago. None of the three snowboarders were carrying avalanche probes, beacons or shovels.

The victim was a 20-year-old male. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin and will be released by the Summit County Coroner, Joanne Richardson. Cause of death is being withheld pending further investigation.

Approximately 37 rescuers responded to the call including volunteer members of the Summit County Rescue Group, and members of Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol, Keystone Ski Patrol and the Summit County Ambulance Service. A team of rescuers hiked up to the area of the avalanche to find and recover the body, and set up an uphaul rope system to bring the victim up to Highway 6.

The snowpack this season has been highly unstable and with the recent new snow this week, the Summit County Rescue Group reminds all backcountry recreationalists to take extra precautions. Check the forecast with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, choose safe routes, carry avalanche gear and know how to use it.

The Summit County Rescue Group will be holding a free public avalanche rescue clinic this Sunday, March 14th, at 1:00 pm in Frisco. To register, email summitavyrescue@gmail.com.

Media contact: Anna DeBattiste, Public Information Officer, 303-817-5663