Avalanche in Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

A backcountry skier, who was alone, triggered an avalanche in Waterfall Canyon, south of the town of Ophir. Avalanche danger was rated as moderate (2/5) to Considerable (3/5) on the day. The skier was caught, managed to self extricate, but succumbed to injury and exposure roughly 500-600 feet below the avalanche. The avalanche occurred on a northwest facing slope at an elevation of 10,500 feet.

A series of Pacific storms in early to mid January brought heavy snow to the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado resulting in a dangerously unstable snowpack.