An avalanche on Saturday afternoon January 5th in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado claimed the life of Peter Marshall of Longmont, Colorado. Marshall, 40 years old, was among six people involved in an avalanche safety course who were trapped in the slide. The other five survived. The avalanche danger before and after this fatality is still increased for the San Juan Mountains.
Senior Senator Beck’s avalanche on January 5th. San Juan Mountains, Colorado. [Photo] Courtesy of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center
According to the full report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the avalanche occurred on a south face near 13,000 feet in the Upper Senator Beck Basin, an area northwest of Red Mountain Pass, the section of US Highway 550 between the cities of Silverton and Ouray. The avalanche caught all six members of the group before a second slide, a compassionate release, ran over the first pile of rubble and buried a person under 2.5 meters of snow, according to their detailed report by CAIC on Jan. 16.
Marshall’s death, which occurred while on a course at the Silverton Avalanche School (SAS), marks the first in the school’s 56-year history, according to the Colorado Sun and SAS Director Jim Donovan. The group practiced in the field during the second day of a three day Level 2 recreational course based on our St. Paul Lodge & Hut between the town of Silverton and Red Mountain Pass.
“This tragic accident affects us all and our deepest condolences go to the family,” wrote SAS in a press release on its website. “Our top priority right now is ensuring the safety and well-being of the victim’s family and the students and staff involved in the accident.” According to SAS, Peter Marshall was a safe and hardworking skier, father and husband.
This accident marks the third avalanche death in North America this season and the first with a skier. (As of Jan. 5, according to a CAIC report, a snowmobile driver was killed in a Wyoming avalanche near Togwotee Pass, with four deaths recorded in the 2018-19 season). In addition, three days before the fatal avalanche at Red Mountain Pass, three snowshoe hikers were caught in a slide near Trico Peak west of the pass on a southeastern side near 12,300 feet, according to CAIC. All were unharmed.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center predicted the avalanche hazard for Saturday, January 5, as moderate in the northern San Juan Mountains at all altitudes, with persistent slab avalanches being the only avalanche problem. A subsequent weather event, which brought with it considerable storms and snow drifts, caused the danger to rise to Considerable in all locations and at all altitudes. The storm, which peaked on Jan. 7, buried a weak foundation of shallow facets, large facets in the center of the pack, and great depths near the ground.
The summary statement in the forecast for January 5 was as follows:
The snow safety team released large avalanches yesterday, and forecasters reported worrying snow cover test results along the US 550 corridor. This is clear evidence that an avalanche outbreak can be triggered on a buried weak layer today. They can trigger avalanches from the bottom of the slope, from adjacent slopes or from a distance. Cracking, collapsing and new avalanches are all signs of a dangerous snowpack. The most dangerous slopes are steeper than about 35 degrees and point from west to north to southeast.
Look for signs of wind exposure such as lenticular pillows and textured snow surfaces under mountain ridges and along steep channel walls to identify suspicious areas. You will find safer driving options in lower elevations where the plate is not available, on slopes with a lower angle and in areas protected from the wind.
An approaching winter storm will bring snow to the area overnight and tomorrow. Expect an increasing risk of avalanches and watch out for rapidly changing conditions.
According to Ouray News, Marshall’s body could not be recovered until January 8th due to the increased avalanche danger in the area. “The volume of natural and skier-triggered avalanches in the last week is clear evidence of a weak and problematic snowpack,” says the January 10th forecast. “At all altitudes, the snowpack slowly adapts to the most recent load.”
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Read more about the full avalanche report here.
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