Doctor killed in Colorado in season’s first fatal avalanche
The first fatal avalanche of Colorado’s snow season has occurred, involving a backcountry snowboarder that was caught by a slide and killed south of the town of Ophir.
The fatal avalanche took place on Jan. 22, occurring below treeline at about 10,500 feet of elevation in the Waterfall Creek area, which is about 5 miles south of Telluride.
The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 67-year-old Dr. Peter Harrelson, a long-time local resident.
Friends reported that Harrelson was overdue from his Jan. 22 outing, prompting a search and rescue mission. Despite following the Harrelson’s tracks on the night of the slide, his friends were unable to find him.
Search and rescue teams recovered Harrelson’s body on the morning of Jan. 23, with the mission involving the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, San Miguel County Search and Rescue, Helitrax and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Avalanche risk in the area is currently rated as “considerable,” according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, which is the third tier of five risk levels.
Photo Credit: D-Keine (iStock).