Backcountry Snowboarder Survives Avalanche In Vail Chutes
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PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reports an avalanche fully buried a snowboarder in the Vail Chutes, backcountry in east Vail, on Saturday. CAIC officials say the rider's partner saved him.
The avalanche happened at around 11 a.m. on a northeast-facing slope below treeline at around 10,000 feet.
"The rider was carried through the trees and completely buried with his head under about a foot and a half of snow," CAIC reports.
The rider used a device called an Avalung which helps the rider breathe when surrounded by snow. His friend found him about 15 minutes later after using a beacon called a transceiver.
The rider is reportedly okay.
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