Avalanche in Southwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

A skier in a group of four decided to ski down a southeast aspect near Ophir Pass during a sunny and relatively warm afternoon. This skier initiated a wet slab avalanche that broke loose at about the 12,800 foot level and traveled a distance of over one mile with a path width of up to 500 feet. The skier was carried by the avalanche a total distance of about 4200 feet down a vertical elevation drop of about 1500 feet. Although the skier had an avalanche beacon, he was not found and uncovered from the avalanche debris until about 35 minutes after he was buried.

Temperatures near Ophis Pass on March 30th rose above freezing at the 13,000 foot level and were the warmest readings of the year so far. March 30th was preceded by an uncharacteristically warm and dry period which created favorable avalanche conditions.