In the past nine days, 84 human-triggered avalanches were reported and more than 200 natural avalanches in just the central mountains of Colorado. Researchers in the field investigating Fridayâs slide in the Anthracite Range, a popular backcountry skiing area off Kebler Pass west of Crested Butte, captured this telltale image of the dangerously weak snowpack pervasive across Coloradoâs mountains right now. On Saturday, two backcountry skiers were âcaught, buried, and killed in an avalanche in the North San Juans,â the Colorado Avalanche Information Center reported Sunday night.
Â
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
.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....
DENVER The deaths of three people in two Colorado avalanches since Friday have experts warning those headed to the mountainous backcountry to be careful and pay attention to forecasts.
A rescue team on Sunday recovered the bodies of two skiers caught in an avalanche a day earlier near Ophir Pass in southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management said.
Albert Perry, 55, and Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, 51, both of nearby Durango, were reported missing after heading out for a ski trip north of Silverton, a former mining town and recreational hub nestled in the mountains, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Durango backcountry skiers who died were experienced, knowledgeable
Durango, Colorado Fri 70% chance of precipitation
Snowpack conditions presented risks not seen in years
Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 12:12 PM Updated: Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 10:10 PM
Durango backcountry skiers who died were experienced, knowledgeable This photograph shows where Durango backcountry skiers Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, 53, and Albert Perry, 55, were caught in an avalanche Saturday. Both men died in the slide near Ophir Pass. Courtesy of Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Toggle font size
Loading the English audio player.
Two Durango backcountry skiers who died in an avalanche this past weekend were experienced and intimately familiar with the terrain, but rare and dangerous snowpack conditions presented risks not seen in years.
Staff
The north side of Battleship near Ophir Pass. The red circle indicates where the two skiers’ bodies were found. Photo: CAIC
There is a multitude of factors that can lead to avalanche conditions. Heavy, early-season snows without a strong base are one of them, and that’s exactly what’s going on in Colorado right now. Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) reported on Facebook that since Friday, 108 human-triggered avalanches occurred, calling the current conditions “the weakest snowpack we’ve seen since 2012. People need to recognize that we have unusual conditions and their usual practices may not keep them out of harm’s way. As we gain more snow in the coming weeks, avalanches could become even more dangerous.”