Cristo Couloir, Quandary Peak, United States – A snowboarder was caught in a slow-moving wet loose avalanche on April 8 in Cristo Couloir on Quandary Peak.

The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. as the snowboarder descended. The snowpack had been slowly warming but remained mostly supportable, with steps sinking only about a quarter of a boot.

The rider triggered a point release near some rocks, which swept them off their feet and carried them for a couple hundred feet before they regained control and rode out safely.

Across the state, avalanche danger remains low (1 of 5), but caution is advised. Even small avalanches can knock people down and drag them over rocks or cliffs, particularly in steep, high-consequence terrain.

Above treeline, slopes steeper than 35 degrees may still be susceptible, especially where wind-drifted snow has accumulated in the past week. Wet snow risks increase as the day warms, so experts recommend starting early, ending early, and avoiding steep slopes as snow turns unstable. Sinking into slushy snow should prompt movement toward cooler, shaded aspects.

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