Front Range

Avalanche

From Grand County SAR: Yesterday, (Dec 23, 2022) GCSAR was paged out for a cliffed out skier on the west side of Berthoud Pass. The party was uninjured but unable to move as the snow was deep and avalanche risk was considerable. The skier also triggered a small slide and deployed his avalanche air bag. The team page went out at 9:24am while several GCSAR members were training with @fflco on their Rescue Deployment skills at our base in Fraser. In conjunction with @grand_county_sheriff and Grand County EMS they were able to utilize the help of FFL to transport two members to a landing zone above and near the subject. Other members responded to the staging area at the top of Berthoud Pass. Using a rope system, one rescuer was able to reach the subject and attach them to our system. The subject and rescuer then climbed back up the slope and away from potential avalanche danger. Flight For Life refueled and stood by at the top of Berthoud Pass in case further assistance was needed. Another GCSAR and MMRT team snowshoed in below the subject and first team to act as backup. The subject and rescuers were able to ski back to the parking lot after ascending the dangerous cliff section.