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Kip Rand, director of the Wallowa Avalanche Center, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016, in a steep fall and avalanche. Rand was skiing near Chief Joseph Mountain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. (Wallowa Avalanche Center)

PENDLETON, Ore. -- The director of the Wallowa Avalanche Center in Pendleton died in an avalanche this week.

Kip Rand died Tuesday in a steep fall and avalanche. Rand was skiing near Chief Joseph Mountain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

"Kip was out enjoying some backcountry skiing with an out-of-town friend on a welcome day off from the demanding duties at the avalanche center," the center said in a statement.

Wallowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers says it appears Rand was caught at the top of an avalanche and carried 600 feet down a nearly vertical slope, the EO Media Group reports.

Rand's skiing partner told authorities that Rand initially survived the slide but was dead by the time help arrived.

The Wallowa Avalanche Center says Rand grew up in Boise, Idaho, and was an experienced guide and avalanche educator.

"He came to us with extensive avalanche training, many years of experience as a guide, avalanche educator and pro observer," according to the center's statement. "Most of all, he came to us with a humble, collected and thoughtful demeanor as he spoke and shared his knowledge."

-- The Oregonian

Tony Hernandez and The Associated Press contributed to this post.