Missing avalanche victim identified; Search continues in La Plata Mountains

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A search continues for a snowmobiler caught in an avalanche Wednesday in the La Plata Mountains near Sharkstooth Peak. Local resident Rob Yates is the missing person rescuers are searching for, according to the Montezuma County Sheriff's office.

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"It is steep terrain with deep snow," said Mancos Fire Chief Tony Aspromonte. "It was an unfortunate accident." Aspromonte said the avalanche was large, spanning 100 yards wide and 3/4 of a mile long. It let loose in a steep chute while Yates was attempting to free a stuck snowmobile, according to rescue officials. The four others were also caught in the slide but were able to escape. The slide occurred at 10,500 feet on the northeast side of Sharkstooth within the Bear Creek drainage. A snowmobile was found with a probe eight feet under the snow, and the debris flow is estimated to be 30 feet deep.

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This week, on March 4, a member of the Wolf Creek Ski Patrol perished in an avalanche while conducting research outside the ski area boundary, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. So far this winter, seven people have died from avalanches in Colorado.

http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20140305/NEWS01/140309928/Missing-avalanche-victim-identified-

It sounds like a terrible mishap by an experienced group. The mountains take their due.



Sharkstooth Peak.