avalanche deaths

Gary Smith, an indefatigable explorer who introduced countless skiers to the backcountry, was skiing with a friend in Sanctuary Chute when he was caught in an avalanche Monday.

Weary after a year of increased calls and grim missions, Colorado's more than 2,800 volunteer backcountry rescuers are hoping lawmakers can find better funding and support.

Eye-in-the-sky technology is bringing avalanche science into the 21st century, enabling forecasters with better tools for predicting threats in Colorado’s backcountry.

The accidents have involved different recreational activities — snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking. And experts warn backcountry conditions are not improving.

Michael “Tony” Westall was trapped in “a slushy mix of avalanche debris and water.” He is one of 11 backcountry travelers killed in avalanches in Colorado this season.

The man died when a slide broke near Ruby Mountain in Jackson County. His death brings the total number of people killed in avalanches this season to 11, a tie for the worst season on record.

Ten backcountry travelers have died in avalanches in Colorado this season, making this winter the deadliest since 2012-13. The hazard continues to climb as new snow and high winds stress a weak snowpack.

Avalanche forecasters and search and rescue crews were worried that this year would be especially deadly because of the coronavirus pandemic and a weak snowpack

A beast in the hills, a magical friend and a warrior for his community and planet, Adam Palmer -- one of three men killed in a Feb. 1 avalanche near Silverton -- was the rarest of men

John Kuo, known as "Johnny Tsunami," regularly skied the easy-to-access East Vail zone beyond the boundary of the Vail ski area.

Matthew Nyman, 43, of Colorado Springs died in an avalanche slide near Anchorage, Alaska State Troopers said

Forecasters continue to warn of high avalanche danger in Vail and Summit County after heavy snowfall.

One of the victims, Adam Palmer, was a newly elected Town of Eagle trustee. Andy Jessen co-founded Bonfire Brewing in Eagle. Seth Bossung managed projects for the county’s energy efficiency department.

The beloved community members buried on southern Colorado’s South Lookout Peak could push the grim 2020-21 season’s avalanche fatality count to seven.

Peter Marshall was buried and killed in an avalanche during a safety class near Red Mountain Pass in 2019. His family says the school, guide and Backcountry Access violated a raft of laws that led to his death.

Grand County Search and Rescue said the man’s body was discovered after he was reported overdue by family members

How to reach experienced backcountry travelers is an age-old debate. Veterans can grow complacent, especially in areas where they ski often.

The skiers -- 55-year-old Albert Perry and 51-year-old Dr. Jeff Paffendorf -- were reported overdue and later found dead in an area known as "the Battleship," which is southeast of Ophir Pass