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Tragic Avalanche Claims Life of Experienced Skier in Colorado
A Colorado woman experienced a harrowing ordeal when she discovered that her husband had been buried in an avalanche after he failed to check in with her as planned. The search for Donald Moden Jr., a 57-year-old veteran skier and former member of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, ended tragically on January 7, when he was found deceased in an area off Red Mountain Pass known as “Bollywood,” as reported by the Ouray County Plaindealer.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), Moden was likely buried under several feet of snow for over four hours before he was located. The avalanche that claimed his life was measured at 800 feet in width and descended 400 feet vertically.
Details of the Incident
When her husband did not return as expected, Moden’s wife promptly contacted the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office and proceeded to the trailhead to look for him. Equipped with an avalanche transceiver, she was able to activate the device, which responded, indicating his location. Reports from The Colorado Sun suggest that she quickly found him using an avalanche probe and called for assistance from other nearby skiers.
Despite wearing an avalanche transceiver and a backpack equipped with an avalanche airbag, Moden did not survive the incident, as the airbag did not deploy during the slide.
A Season Marked by Avalanche Risks
The CAIC indicated that Moden was likely skiing downhill when caught in the snowslide, having just completed his seventh run of the day. Sadly, he was buried too deeply for self-rescue, with the report noting his extensive experience over 16 years skiing at Red Mountain Pass. “He knew the terrain on Red Number 3 well,” the report elaborated, indicating that he selected his skiing route based on familiar and acceptable conditions.
Just a day prior to the tragic incident, Moden had skied on an adjacent slope without observing any indicators of hazardous snow conditions, as assessed by the CAIC.
Context of Avalanche Safety
This incident marks the first reported avalanche fatality in Colorado for the current ski season. Since November 9, the CAIC has documented 25 backcountry skiers and travelers involved in 23 separate avalanches. Among these incidents, seven individuals were buried in snow and debris. According to The Colorado Sun, these statistics are not significantly different from those recorded in previous seasons.
As the ski season continues, emphasis on avalanche safety and awareness remains paramount for outdoor enthusiasts navigating Colorado’s mountainous terrain.
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