A backcountry skier was “briefly submerged” in an “small” avalanche Monday on Marble Point near Carbondale.
The avalanche, roughly 100 feet wide and 200 feet long, was trigged by a skier at about 10,400 feet in elevation, according to a report posted on the .
“Our group’s travels were masked by complacency as we traversed low angle slopes on the return to the car after having noted major instabilities at higher elevations,” said a member of the involved ski party in the CAIC post.
The incident was reported by . The skier who was briefly submerged came to “rest atop the snowpack 100 or so feet above the toe of the slide.”
The author said the avalanche serves as a good reminder to keep rescue skills sharp and to carefully assess all terrain while backcountry skiing.
“This slide was a sharp reminder of the potential consequences of any backcountry terrain, even in the relatively benign areas.”
Monday’s avalanche happened . The avalanche rating for the area Tuesday was “considerable” above treeline and near treeline, according to the CAIC. The CAIC defines the considerable rating as: “Dangerous avalanche conditions. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.”
The level below treeline Tuesday was “moderate” with “heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.”
