Skier Dies in Avalanche Near Red Mountain Pass

Donald Moden Jr., a 57-year-old backcountry skier, was killed in an avalanche on January 7 while skiing near Red Mountain Pass in Colorado. His wife, expecting a call from him, went to check on him after he missed their scheduled communication, ultimately discovering the avalanche and using a transceiver to locate him. Despite her efforts and those of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, he was buried under approximately three feet of snow for over four hours before rescue efforts commenced. Moden, a seasoned skier with 16 years of experience in the area, was reportedly on his seventh run of the day when he triggered the avalanche. Investigators indicated that the avalanche occurred due to unstable snow conditions following an unusually snowy November and a dry December, compounded by fresh snow leading up to the incident. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center noted that the avalanche was strong enough to both injure and kill, underlining the risks associated with backcountry skiing even in moderate conditions.