Ski season deaths: James Lindenblatt's is among two that won't count toward Colorado total
Here's the account of what happened, from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center:
The avalanche happened in the Raspberry Creek drainage which is part of the Raggeds Wilderness area. Four backcountry skiers were descending steep westerly aspect terrain off the Marble Peak Ridge Sunday afternoon. The fourth skier triggered a soft slab and was buried and killed in the resulting slab avalanche.The CAIC includes two photos of the area. The first depicts the avalanche on the west and northwest aspects of Marble Peak Ridge:
The second shows what's called a "deeper persistent slab triggered by skier. Storm slab [at the top of the photo] and to the right was triggered first, then stepped down to the persistent slab."
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Lindenblatt reportedly was wearing an avalanche beacon. Nevertheless, he died before he could be rescued from the slide.
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
The CAIC notes that Lindenblatt's death was the second due to an avalanche this season, Hileman's being the first. Meanwhile, there have been two official deaths at ski resorts: Tristan Bartlett, thirteen, who died at Copper Mountain on January 4, and Doae Oh, twenty, killed in a January 9 accident at Keystone. Both hit trees; neither were wearing helmets.
In all, however, five people have died skiing in Colorado thus far this season. Our condolences.
More from our News archive: "Ski area death of Patsy Hileman shouldn't count toward resort fatalities, industry group says."
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