Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Joel Sparks · Feb 17, 2018 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Bluebird day, high-twenties. Previous night had high winds in the area and past week had seen multiple storms.

Snowpack

Powder, loose fluffy top layer, packed powder underneath

Avalanche

We witnessed a snowmobile rider triggered an avalanche driving his sled up a ~45-degree slope. At around noon I was about 400 yards away when I saw this rider trigger an avalanche when his sled reached high point in the hill. The high point is presumably on a convex roll and the snow pack was shallow with lots of exposed rocks. The avalanche slid about 100 yards, burying the sled completely. Luckily the rider was able to keep his head above the snow but was otherwise completely submerged. When the snow settled he was able to breathe. Two other witnesses and I moved into rescue the rider while others stayed outside the avalanche zone. Avalanche ripped to ground. The rider and the snowmobile were rescued. Both were unscathed physically despite some apparent shock. Photos submitted were taken after the rider was rescued.