Front Range

Snowpack

Here's the location and approximate path of the slide that occurred yesterday (shown in Red). The Yellow path in the second image was a natural release that occurred overnight on Friday. My account: At approximately 12:30 PM 1/20/13, Skier 1 dropped in on a Northeast aspect in the Second Creek drainage on Berthoud Pass and triggered the slide after approximately 2 or 3 turns. He remained visible and on top of the snow until the slide began to slow and pile up, at which point he was buried. Once the slide came to a stop, Skier 2 dropped in and skied on the remaining snow in the slide path and reached skier 1 approx 1-2 minutes after burial. Skiers 3 and 4 then came down to the burial site, each of them slicing into some of the remaining hangfire on either side of the crown. The group dug out Skier 1 and he sat in the snow for approx 10 minutes before standing up and walking off the debris field. From the group: Skier 1 was able to maintain a small air pocket and punch his hand through to the surface to create an airway. His skis were still attached. No injuries. The slide came to a stop before cresting another roll in the terrain.