2 Durangoans killed in avalanche near Ophir Pass
Durango, Colorado Fri 70% chance of precipitation
Jeff Paffendorf, 51, and Albert Perry, 55, perish in Saturday slide By Patrick Armijo Education, business & real estate reporter
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 10:28 AM Updated: Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 5:39 PM A rescue crew on Sunday morning skis to an avalanche site near Ophir Pass that killed two Durango men, Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, 51, and Albert Perry, 55. Courtesy of San Juan County, Colorado, Search and Rescue A rescue crew on Sunday morning prepares to ski to an avalanche site near Ophir Pass that killed two Durango men, Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, 51, and Albert Perry, 55. Courtesy of San Juan County, Colorado, Search and Rescue
132 Colorado Avalanches Since Friday, 3 People Killed
The avalanche season is underway in Colorado and it has already turned deadly.
Since Friday, there have been 132 avalanches in the state and 49 have been triggered by people. Nine people were caught in avalanches over the weekend, and 3 Coloradans lost their lives.
On Saturday, two skiers were killed in the backcountry north of Silverton. A body recovery mission was conducted Sunday by the San Juan County Sheriff s Department and San Juan County Search and Rescue. The bodies were identified as 51-year-old Albert Perry and 55-year-old Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, both of Durango.
On Friday, a solo skier was killed in an avalanche west of Crested Butte in an area locally known as Friendly Finish.
2 backcountry skiers found dead in avalanche near Silverton
A search team found the skiers bodies in avalanche debris after the two were reported missing on Saturday, officials said. Author: Jennifer Campbell-Hicks Updated: 7:41 PM MST December 20, 2020
SILVERTON, Colo. A recovery operation for two backcountry skiers from Durango who were found dead in avalanche debris near Silverton has concluded, according to San Juan County Search and Rescue (SJCSAR).
The skiers, identified by the San Juan County coroner as 55-year-old Albert Perry and 51-year-old Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, were reported missing Saturday evening after they d planned to ski in an area north of Silverton, locally known as the Battleship, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).
2 Durangoans killed in avalanche near Ophir Pass
Durango, Colorado Currently Sun
Jeff Paffendorf, 51, and Albert Perry, 55, perish in Saturday slide By Patrick Armijo Education, business & real estate reporter
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 10:28 AM Updated: Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 5:39 PM A rescue crew on Sunday morning skis to an avalanche site near Ophir Pass that killed two Durango men, Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, 51, and Albert Perry, 55. Courtesy of San Juan County, Colorado, Search and Rescue A rescue crew on Sunday morning prepares to ski to an avalanche site near Ophir Pass that killed two Durango men, Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, 51, and Albert Perry, 55. Courtesy of San Juan County, Colorado, Search and Rescue
Two backcountry skiers died in an avalanche northwest of Silverton on Saturday.
The skiers, who have not been identified, were reported overdue Saturday evening after they’d planned to ski in an area known as the Battleship, southeast of Ophir Pass, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Rescuers dispatched in a helicopter Saturday night could see ski tracks and a large avalanche, according to San Juan County Search and Rescue. The two skiers were later found dead, buried in the avalanche debris.
Because of dangerous conditions and the late hour Saturday, crews planned to recover the bodies Sunday.
For more on this story, go to DenverPost.com