Crews Finish Search Of Avalanche Area On Berthoud Pass
GRAND COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Search and rescue crews searched a slide area on Berthoud Pass, but did not find anyone trapped. The avalanche happened at about 2:30 p.m. on Mine's Peak on the east side of the pass.
There were snow slides on Mines One and Two. Those areas are popular places for backcountry skiers.
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, everyone in the area was accounted for. Search and rescue crews stayed until 5:30 p.m. to see if there are any empty vehicles parked nearby. Crews do not believe anyone was trapped.
The avalanche danger is considerable to moderate in some parts of Colorado's mountains.
"When you have that old snow underneath that has been sitting there all winter and you put new snow on top of it, it has the chance to have different layers of snow and breaks loose and has a tendency to slide on top of that old snow like marbles," said Grand County Sheriff Rod Johnson.
He also has some advice for backcountry skiers: be prepared.
"If they're going to ski avalanche areas like Berthoud Pass, have avalanche beacons and bring friends with them," said Johnson. "Be sure to tell others where you are, where you are going."
Additional Resources
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
