Another avalanche fatality occurred yesterday; this time on Colorado's Pikes
Peak and a dramatic rescue effort is unfolding as I write.

Information on exactly what transpired is somewhat sketchy at this time; but,
according to reports, four climbers or ski mountaineers were close to the summit
of Pikes Peak on April 25 when a hard slab avalanche on an east facing slope
struck them from above and buried at least three of them.  Of the three buried,
one died, one sustained a fractured femur, and one suffered minor injuries.  

Apparently, the person who was not buried recovered his companions and then left
for help.  He notified authorities who dispatched a helicopter and rescuers to
the summit of Pikes Peak.  The rescuers descended from the summit to the
accident site where they found the two surviving victims.  The rescuers did
their best to stabilize the victims before night fall and planned to descend the
next morning (April 26) to a site where they could be picked up by helicopter or
snow machines.  Unfortunately, six to ten inches of snow fell on Pikes Peak last
night with high winds and temperatures around five degrees Farenheit.  

The latest word I have, is that both surviving victims are hypothermic and
because of the poor weather and, I assume, increasing avalanche hazard, the
rescuers were unable to descend with the victims to a point where they could be
picked up.  Since the conditions precluded descending, the basecamp rescuers are
hopine that the weather will break enough for a Chinook helicopter to pluck the
victims and rescuers from the side of the peak with a long line.  The weather
has not cooperated and the helicopter had not been able to fly as of 12:00 pm
today.  

I'll update this report as I hear more.  Best of luck to the rescuers and
victims, sounds as though conditions are hellish.  Let's all hope that things go
well, we certainly don't need any more tragedies.

Thanks to Steve Dietemeyer and Dale Atkins for information on this accident.

-Doug Abromeit
 National Avalanche Center