On the morning of Sunday, March 16th a party of two skiers departed from Trout Lake and ascended the southwest slopes of Yellow Mountain with the intention of skiing the Serpent Couloir, a northeast facing slope that descends into Waterfall Creek on the opposite side of the ridge. The two skiers had checked the CAIC avalanche bulletin and were aware of the conditions. The avalanche danger was Moderate near and above treeline and Low below treeline. The party was aware of the fresh Wind Slabs that had formed on Saturday as well as the ongoing Deep Persistent Slab avalanche problem. The skiers were both carrying a beacon, shovel, and probe. Skier 1 was carrying an airbag.
The party reached the ridge of Yellow Mountain after 1:00 pm and assessed the Serpent Couloir. They watched a party ahead of them safely descend an adjacent couloir in the area. They could visibly see wind effects and fresh Wind Slabs on the northeast aspects of Yellow Mountain. After considering other options the party descended their original objective of the Serpent Couloir. Skier 1 descended to a knoll partway down the slope without incident. At approximately 1:30 pm Skier 2 entered the couloir, traversing to roughly the same area as Skier 1. While traversing from skiers left to right, Skier 2 noted that the snow became firmer and his skis did not penetrate the snow. On his initial traverse Skier 2 triggered a shallow hard slab avalanche 6-8 inches deep that broke about 10 feet above his skis. He initially was rode on top of the slab for 30-40 feet before it broke up, knocking him off his feet and carrying him down the slope. The avalanche swept past Skier 1, but did not come close enough to affect him. While being carried through the upper part of the couloir Skier 2 hit a rock and felt an impact on his left leg. He was carried through the remainder of the couloir, at times swimming to stay on top of the debris. Skier 2 came to rest on top of the debris as it exited the couloir and stopped on the “apron” of the slope. He was not buried by debris. Skier 2 could visibly tell that his left leg was broken from its position. Skier 1 descended the couloir with his beacon in search mode collecting Skier 2’s skis and gear that had been lost in the slide. Skier 1 reached Skier 2 and helped him into a comfortable position. Skier 1 descended the remainder of Waterfall Creek into the town of Ophir, where he made contact with San Miguel county dispatch as well as Telluride Helitrax. Telluride Helitrax assisted with the rescue, packaging and flying Skier 2 out of Waterfall Creek to a waiting ambulance. Skier 2 was then transported to Montrose Memorial hospital where he was treated for a broken femur.