A Minnesota man suffered a dislocated shoulder but survived being buried by an avalanche Monday on Gravel Mountain — in the Arapaho National Forest near Grand Lake.
Shannon Christensen, 31, of Kasson, Minn., was in a popular snowmobiling area about 11 a.m. when an avalanche about 150 yards wide came down on top of him, Grand County Undersheriff Walt Eldridge said. Four other snowmobilers from the Parker and Broomfield areas saw the slide and rushed to dig Christensen out from under 3 feet of snow.
He was buried for about five minutes and was unconscious when they pulled him out. Rescuers worked to warm him, and he eventually regained consciousness, Eldridge said. Christensen was taken to a local clinic to be checked and treated for his shoulder injury.
The National Avalanche Center urges residents and visitors to know when and where avalanches can occur and to take precautions.
Manny Gonzales: 303-954-1537 or mgonzales@denverpost.com
