A tragic incident unfolded in Colorado earlier this month as a woman found her husband buried in 3 feet of snow after being killed in an avalanche. Identified as Don Moden Jr., the skier was buried for over four hours before help arrived. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center confirmed the details of the accident, which occurred on Red Mountain Number 3 near Red Mountain Pass. Moden’s wife, who was expecting a call at the end of his ski day, initiated a search after he failed to check in, ultimately finding him buried in the snow. She called for help, and members of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team responded to assist in recovering Moden.
A Facebook tribute from the OMRT honored Moden as a former team member who had made lasting contributions. Moden, an experienced backcountry skier with 16 years on Red Mountain Pass, was described as a dedicated and skilled individual. Despite wearing an avalanche transceiver and airbag backpack, the backpack was not deployed during the incident.
Backcountry skiing is inherently risky, especially when traveling solo. The CAIC warned that traveling in a group with proper safety protocols is generally safer and allows for a more effective rescue in case of an emergency. The report highlighted that solo travelers accounted for a significant percentage of avalanche deaths in Colorado, emphasizing the importance of proper precautions when engaging in backcountry activities. The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office, OMRT, and CAIC have yet to provide further details on the incident.
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