Veteran Skier Dies in Colorado Avalanche After Four-Hour Burial
A tragic incident occurred on January 7 when a veteran skier, Donald Moden Jr., 57, was killed in an avalanche near Red Mountain Pass in Ouray County, Colorado. Moden, who had extensive experience skiing in the area, was reportedly buried under the snow for more than four hours before being located by his wife after she activated her avalanche transceiver.
The avalanche, which occurred in a region known informally as "Bollywood," measured 800 feet in width and descended 400 feet vertically. Moden had been skiing at the time and was on his seventh run of the day. Despite having an avalanche airbag backpack, it failed to deploy during the incident.
His wife raised the alarm when he did not check in as scheduled and went to search for him at the trailhead. Upon receiving a response from his transceiver, she quickly located him with an avalanche probe and called for help from nearby skiers.
This tragedy marks the first reported avalanche fatality in Colorado for the current ski season. Since November 9, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center has reported 25 incidents involving backcountry skiers, with several individuals buried in snow and debris.
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