Avy Death in CO

Copy from TGR.

Originally Posted by ******* 
Confirmed they were BC'ing not XC.
(names omitted out of respect for family that may not yet have been notified.)

On Dec. 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., Skier 1 and skier 2 set out for a day ski trip in the Dry Gulch area (North of I-70 at exit 216).
They had checked avy forecast and were aware of the danger. Once they were in the Dry Gulch area, they decided that one gully looked good to ski down. They hiked to the top of the gully and discussed escape routes and snow loads. They decided at this time that one would enter from the left side and the other would enter from the right side. Skier 1 entered and skied approximately a third down slope to a pre-determined stopping point. At this time, skier 2 entered the gully on the right side. Skier 1 said that skier 2 was doing well and then he saw the avalanche sweep his friend away.
Skier 1 then got caught by the avalanche and was taken the rest of the way down the hill. Skier 1 was buried himself, but was able to get himself out. Skier 1 said that he tried to yell for skier 2, but got no response. Skier 1 then started back up the avalanche debris field with his avalanche beacon on search mode. After approximately 15 to 20 minutes, skier 1 was able to locate skier 2. Skier 1 was able to dig skier 2 out of the snow and administer C.P.R. for approx. 45 minutes.
Another skier was in the area and witnessed the avalanche. Skier 3 who is an E.R. doctor heard somebody yelling for help and went to that location. Skier 1 and skier 3 discussed what took place and skier 3 pronounced skier 2 deceased at 1:00 p.m..
Skier 1 then asked skier 3 if he would ski out and call for help. Skier 3 then skied out and notified the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office of the Avalanche.
The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Alpine Rescue Team, Loveland Ski Patrol, Clear Creek County Advocates and St. Anthony’s Lifeguard helicopter responded to the scene. Lifeguard Helicopter air lifted four emergency responders/rescuers to the area and the four rescuers walked to the scene. Other rescuers rode in on snowmobiles and a snow cat from the roadway. The rescuers were able to get skier 1 out of the field, who refused medical assistance. Rescuers then removed skier 2 from the field.

Man I hate that.

Very sad. RIP

Unsafe safe zones are not a safe practice. It sounds like skier 1 was lucky not to be entombed himself.

Any idea what the avy forecast was for the area?

According to CAIC, avalanche danger was Moderate.

I'm not sure whether or not this was a case of unsafe safe zone, but either way, you raise an excellent point Snow Bell. Travel technique is subject to frequent abuse.

This seems more like a case of not being careful in "middle ground" terrain.

Map here. Look for the large gully due east of Golden Bear Peak:

maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=e...28,0.038409&t=p&z=15

More here:

www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207687

Three weeks before the holidays, to lose a son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, or father or mother...my heart goes out to those affected. Very sad indeed.

Further reading for those that don't want to go to TGR.

"I just attended an annual avy meeting with all the agencies that responded to this accident.
The consensus was that Kyle and Justin did everything pretty much by the book and took all the appropriate precautions. It was also stated that Justin was clearly familiar with operating his beacon and wasted very little time locating Kyle.
I saw photos of the slide where it sheared off, approx. 4ft deep and 200ft across. The skier's left side of slope looked slightly more solid, while the right might have been slightly less dense, with a skin track still visible on the far skier’s right on the edge of the slide zone. You could clearly see a small gap of hoar at the bottom of the 4ft slab. The slide ran approx. 500ft vertical and both skiers were carried through a pretty nasty terrain trap.
The remarkable thing that most responders commented on was that both skiers took essentially the same slide path and one made it through relatively unharmed while the other was not so lucky. I'm left with the impression that no matter how well you prepare and educate yourself, luck can still play a major role in BC survival. You try to improve your chances, but as one on the ART members said; it's a matter of risk management. There is no way to eliminate all risk, and it probably wouldn't be much fun if there were.
I think many of us are aware of the risks associated with skiing in or out of bounds, and take what we deem acceptable risks on a regular basis. I know I don't spend a lot of time dwelling on worst case scenarios, and events like this put things a little more in perspective about the many bullets I've been lucky enough to dodge.
Kyle's loss should be a reminder to the rest of us just how fortunate we frequently are."