CAIC: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

2023/01/07 - Colorado - Pumphouse Lake, southwest of Rollins Pass

Published 2023/01/08 by Mike Cooperstein - Forecaster, CAIC


Avalanche Details

  • Location: Pumphouse Lake, southwest of Rollins Pass
  • State: Colorado
  • Date: 2023/01/07
  • Time: 12:00 AM (Estimated)
  • Summary Description: 2 snowmobilers caught, 2 buried and killed
  • Primary Activity: Snowmobiler
  • Primary Travel Mode: Snowmobile

Number

  • Caught: 0
  • Fully Buried: 2
  • Injured: 0
  • Killed: 2

Avalanche

  • Type: SS
  • Trigger: AM - Snowmobile
  • Trigger (subcode): u - An unintentional release
  • Size - Relative to Path: R2
  • Size - Destructive Force: D2
  • Sliding Surface: G - At Ground/Ice/Firm

Site

  • Slope Aspect: E
  • Site Elevation: 11600 ft
  • Slope Angle: 35 °
  • Slope Characteristic: --

Accident Summary

PRELIMINARY: On January 7, 2023, at around 2:00 PM, two snowmobilers were caught, buried, and killed in a large avalanche on the east face of Mount Epworth, about 6 miles east of Winter Park. Another group in the area was able to locate one of the riders with a transceiver. They performed CPR, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The second rider was not wearing an avalanche transceiver. Grand County Sheriff's Deputies and Grand County search and rescue were unable to locate the second rider before dark. They will continue the search on Sunday.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the people involved in this tragic accident. CAIC staff will visit the accident site on Sunday, January 8, and we will publish a final report in the next week.

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