Avalanche: Solitude

Very close call at Solitude The next day a Big Cottonwood ski patroller was caught in an avalanche during control work. A section of unbroken snow between two previous shot placements released as he did a ski cut. He went for a long ride through trees and cliff bands, and ended up completely buried when the debris came to a stop. His partner was able to find him within minutes. He was not breathing and they did CPR on him as they transported him to a waiting helicopter at the base. Miraculously, he began breathing on his own after they reached the helicopter and he recovered with no ill effects.