Key takeaways:
- Two skiers and a snowboarder were swept down a mountainside by a massive backcountry avalanche.
- Rescue teams were able to locate and extradite two of the victims, but the third victim, 36-year-old Joel Shute of Glenwood Springs, was found dead.
- The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is warning backcountry skiers and snowboarders to be aware of the current avalanche danger in the area.
A tragic accident occurred in western Colorado on Friday, when a massive backcountry avalanche swept two skiers and a snowboarder down a mountainside. The avalanche was two to three feet deep and up to 500 feet wide, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Rescue teams were able to locate and extradite two of the victims, who were injured in the avalanche. However, the third victim, 36-year-old Joel Shute of Glenwood Springs, was found dead on Saturday afternoon, buried about four feet deep in avalanche debris.
The Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Sunday confirming the death of Shute. The statement said that Shute had been missing since Friday evening, when he and the other two skiers were touring in upper Rapid Creek, southwest of the town of Marble.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is warning backcountry skiers and snowboarders to be aware of the current avalanche danger in the area. They are urging people to check the avalanche forecast and be prepared with the necessary safety equipment before heading out.
This tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers of backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Joel Shute during this difficult time.
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