One Person Killed in Avalanche at Berthoud Pass, Grand County
Tragedy struck on Saturday evening as an avalanche swept through part of the Rocky Mountains near Berthoud Pass in northern Colorado’s Grand County, claiming the life of one individual, according to sheriff’s officials.
The avalanche was triggered by a snowboarder in an area known as “the Fingers” or the “High Trail Cliffs” on Mines Peak around 4:45 p.m. Saturday, as reported by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Located at the summit of Berthoud Pass, the Fingers are steep, rocky, northwest-facing avalanche paths frequently accessed by backcountry skiers and snowboarders.
The identity of the snowboarder who lost their life will be released by the Grand County Coroner’s Office at a later time.
Earlier that day, around 2:25 p.m., another avalanche in Grand County trapped multiple snowmobilers on Gravel Mountain near Grand Lake. Fortunately, all four individuals caught in the avalanche managed to rescue themselves and each other without sustaining any injuries.
Authorities believe that one of the snowmobilers inadvertently triggered the avalanche.
