On January 5th, Colorado suffered its first avalanche Fatality of the season. Peter Marshall, Longmont Colorado Resident was taking an avalanche course with Silverton Avalanche School when he and four others were caught in an avalanche on Red Mountain Pass.

Marshall was buried under 8 feet of snow, and the group was able to dig him out. Unfortunately, on-scene revival efforts were unsuccessful. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center confirmed that the group involved was taking an avalanche course through the Silverton Avalanche School. No comments or statements have been made by the institution.

On Monday, the Silverton Avalanche School said that it was a Level 2 Avalanche course through American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education Avalanche Course(AIARE). This course is designed for experienced backcountry users who have their Level 1 and at least a year of winter backcountry travel experience, as well as an Avalanche Rescue Course.

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This tragic accident impacts all of us and our deepest condolences go out to the family. Our number one priority at this time is ensuring the safety and well being of the family of the victim and the students and staff involved in the accident.

This was Silvertons first fatality since their inception since 1962.

Early reports state that the avalanche that caught Mr. Marshall was set off by another avalanche that was triggered by the class. The slide took place around 13,000′ in the area of Upper Senator Beck Basin, northwest of Red Mountain Pass.

Investigators have not been able to get back to the scene due to weather conditions. The storm that came through will prevent them from being able to gather as much information as to the details of what caused the avalanche. This is not a criminal investigation, but rather to help with education and preventative measures in the future.

All instructors with the Silverton Avalanche School are certified through AIARE or the Canadian Avalanche Association.

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