United States Forest Dillon Ranger P.O. Box 620 Department of Service District Silverthorne, CO Agriculture 80498 File: 2720/6700 Date: February 5, 1996 RE: February 4, 1996 Avalanche Fatality near Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort To: Forest Supervisor This slide occurred just to the west of Arapahoe Basin in an back country area known locally as "The Beavers". Specific details are being investigated currently, but preliminary indication is that the two male snowboarders exited the ski area boundary through a Forest Service access point. They simultaneously jumped into a steep chute known as "Number Two Finger" triggering a large slide. One of the victims was found buried waist deep suffering only a compound tibia fracture, his boots and bindings were attached to his feet and the broken snowboard was found 100 feet to the west. The second victim was found by the Arapahoe Basin Avi-Dog "Jagger", unconscious below a large spruce wrapped around two smaller trees buried approximately 3-4 feet deep. He was intubated and CPR was performed until he was pronounced at the Snake River Medical Center. He was found in his socks, snowboard boots and bindings were not recovered. Time of initial notification 13:53 First victim found 14:39 Second victim located and excavated 14:43 Slide Path Crown: 300 feet wide ranging from 2 to 8 feet thick Slope: 35 to 45 Bed surface: ground Run: 1200 to 1300 vertical feet Deposition: 600 + feet wide upwards of 20 feet deep in places taking out numerous spruce/fir up to 10 inches in diameter. Kent Sharp Winter Sports, Dillon Ranger District -------------------------------------------------- Two snowboarders left the backcountry access gate at Arapahoe Basin and headed toward the "Beavers." Neither had beacons or shovels or avalanche training. They both descended a slope together when they triggered a large 6-8 foot deep, 300' wide slide to the ground with descended 700 vertical feet. One person hit a tree and suffered an open lower leg fracture while the other person, Mike Merrick was buried about 18 inches deep. A passing plow driver noticed the slide and heard someone yelling and radioed for help. The rescue crew brought in a dog which found the victim about three hours after the accident. Although they did CPR, he never showed any signs of life. The rescuers found him in his stocking feet, his snowboard and boots apparently ripped off his feet in the descent. They never found his snowboard and boots. -------------------------------------------------- Newsgroups: rec.skiing.alpine, rec.skiing.snowboard Subject: Avalanche death reports - better think twice !!! Snowboarder killed, partner breaks leg: Mike Merick, 23, was killed Sunday near A Basin in the Gullies, the Beavers, the Fingers (pick your favorite name). These are known avalanche paths that have seen fatal slides before. His friend from California managed to grab hold of a tree and survived. Mike was an extreme boarder who had apparently competed in Crested Butte and Alaska contests. Unfortunately, the 100 mph slide didnt take that into account. It is a tragedy, but was totally unnecessary. 1) The media was screaming about the danger for days before. the news said DONT go into the backcountry 2) Aval danger was EXTREME, 200 slides reported on Saturday alone. January in some parts of Colo saw ten to twenty feet of new snow. 3) I saw a giant slide path right next to Loveland Ski area on Sat am. A patroller apparently threw a hand charge, a big slide came down out of control, trashing a shuttle bus and at least two cars, including the patroller's (!) in the base area lot. I was startled at the sight of the slide path just feet from if not ON the the Avalanche Bowl ski run at Loveland. Many trees came down with the slide. 4) Mike was four feet under for about three hours. 5) Apparently, rescue workers detected a faint pulse at the site, but he was pronounced dead in Snake River clinic in Keystone. 6) Two foot diameter trees were snapped in the slide, which carried the victim 1000 feet. 7) Mike had an avalanche tranceiver, but it was not on because his partner did not have one. Rescue workers could have found him much faster if he had activated it. 8) Mike's board was found, broken in at least two places. This info from today's Denver papers and last night's news. ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: 7 FEB 1996 05:44:43 -0500 From: WDUSA Newsgroups: rec.skiing.snowboard Subject: Mike Meirick-Avalanche This is being posted on the bulletin board because we have had so many phone calls over the past two days due to the national news coverage of the accident. Wild Duck Snowboards lost one of its premier team riders this Sunday to an Avalanche in Colorado. Wild Duck Extreme rider (competed at Valdez), Mike Meirick died after being buried under 4 feet of snow for over 3 hours. Mikey and a friend were snowboarding in a back country area between Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basic Colorado. Mike's enthusiasm and dedication to the sport made him an exceptional athlete, and his kind heart and gentle spirit made him an exceptional person. After his family, friends, and Mara his wife, Mikes greatest love was snowboarding. At the request of his family Wild Duck will still be producing Mikes pro-model snowboard. It was what he wanted more than anything else. There are no words to express how much we will all miss him. Mikey was 23 years old. Wild Duck