Avalanche in Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

On the accident day, the avalanche danger in the area in question was rated 3/5 - Considerable for areas near and above treeline. Below treeline, avlanche danger was rated 2/5 or moderate. A Special Avalache Advisory was in effect due to recent snow and strong winds forming thick, cohesive slabs over an unusually weak and shallow snowpack. Slopes with wind drifted snow were indicated as most dangerous, with deep (2-3 feet) buried weak layers giving little warning before breaking into an avlanche. Avalanches of small to large size were likely at all levels on aspects northwest through north to east, and likely near or above treeline on aspects south through southeast. The accident group consisted of 4 skiers, who had spent most of the day successfully skiing east facing slopes. For the last run of the day, the group chose a northeast-facing slope south of the Hahns Peak Lake Dam (40.830, -106.986). Skier 1 did ski cuts that were unreactive, and successfully skied the skier's left side of the slope. Skier 2 began their run and after two turns the avalanche broke. Skier two was knocked off their feet and caught, eventually tumbling before being slammed against a tree. They were headfirst on their back, with snow up to their chin, but were able to clear their mouth and wave for help. One of the remaining members of the group were able to extricate Skier 2 and help them down, under their own power but with assistance. Unknown extent of injuries. Avalanche had a 2 foot fracture line, was 30 feet wide and ran 100 feet. Avalanche occurred below treeline on a northeast-facing slope, and was rated R2/D2, meaning it was small relative to its path but large enough to catch, carry, bury, injure, or kill a person.

A solid mid-month snow storm brought a few feet of fresh snow to the Colorado Divide mountains. This fresh snow fell atop a shallow layer of faceted, old, and unstable snow, creating an overall unstable snowpack. However, as this winter has been very snow poor, the fresh snow enticed a number of backcountry tourers, despite dangerous avalanche conditions as analyzed by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. As a result, two avalanches resulted in injuries to two different backcountry tourers.