A Wolf Creek Ski Area patroller was killed by an avalanche Tuesday near Conejos Peak while conducting research.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said the avalanche occurred about 1:30 p.m. The patroller was pulled out by a partner and a second patrol team that arrived. The victim was flown to Mercy Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m., the avalanche center said.
Wolf Creek spokeswoman Rosanne Pitcher said she could not release the victim’s name pending notification of family.
Ski patrollers visited the avalanche site Wednesday, she said.
Conejos Peak is about 20 miles east of Wolf Creek.
“We don’t have all the details at this point,” Pitcher said.
A Conejos County Sheriff’s Office representative said the deputy who responded to the incident was not available. Attempts to reach the Conejos County coroner Wednesday were unsuccessful.
Wolf Creek suffered a similar tragedy in 2010 when ski patrol director Scott Kay was killed while performing avalanche-control work. Kay, a Marine veteran and married father of two, was 41.
Tuesday’s fatal avalanche was preceded by 2 inches of snow that fell quickly overnight, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said. Notable avalanches also were recently observed on Engineer Mountain, Sawtooth Mountain, Graysill Mountain, Sharkstooth Peak and Treasure Mountain.
Avalanche danger in the south San Juans was classified as moderate Wednesday, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The center warned that while avalanche season is winding down, dangerous avalanches remain possible near and above treeline.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
