PHOTO: Hillside near Vallecito Reservoir where two backcountry skiers were killed on Saturday. Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
The body of a snowmobiler killed in an avalanche was uncovered by officials midday Monday, marking the seventh avalanche death already this winter. The victim was riding with a group of four others near La Manga Pass in Conejos County when the avalanche occurred, according to a report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
On Saturday, two backcountry skiers — James Sutton of Durango and Jurgen Montgomery of Pagosa Springs — were also buried and killed in an avalanche near the Vallecito Reservoir, about 80 miles west of Wolf Creek Pass. Both men were experienced backcountry skiers, according to information provided by Colorado Search & Rescue Association.
Colorado Avalanche Information Center Director Ethan Greene said the two men were equipped with avalanche airbags, but neither were deployed, suggesting that the deluge took the skiers by surprise.
Avalanches around Vallecito Reservoir are unusual because of its lower elevation, but the area has received considerable snowfall this winter.
Current season avalanche deaths now match the 2021-22 season total of seven, and avalanche season is far from over. Greene said Monday that the 2022-23 avalanche death toll is cause for concern, having already surpassed Colorado’s yearly average of six deaths.
Another snowmobiler was injured in an avalanche in the Hourglass Pass near Wolf Creek Pass.
A series of snowstorms came through the southern Colorado mountains leading into last weekend, Greene said, which, along with powerful winds, contributed to risky conditions on the slopes.
Avalanche danger remains significant early this week, according to CAIC forecasting. The southern mountains and parts of the central mountains will have “considerable” risk Tuesday… and “very dangerous avalanche conditions” by Wednesday after storms pass through.
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