The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Crested Butte, Gunnison National Forest
Gunnison County, Colorado
On January 21, 2016, at approximately 2:00 p.m. an avalanche was triggered by backcountry users near the eastern flank of the south bowl of Ruby Mountain at tree line. This location is near Kebler Pass in the Gunnison National Forest, Gunnison County, Colorado. The Crested Butte Avalanche Center Website reported avalanche danger at this elevation rated as “Considerable (3)” on this date.
The avalanche was witnessed by a nearby group of Irwin Guides who were aware that people were in that area. The Irwin Guides immediately notified Gunnison Dispatch via 911 and headed to the incident location. Crested Butte Search and Rescue teams were put on stand-by at the time of the call.
Upon arrival of the Irwin Guides, members of the skiing party were reportedly found actively digging near a tree well where one individual had been buried. Early information indicates a victim was carried by the slide to this area. It is unknown at this time what triggered the slide. However, the group was reported to have been using a snowmobile to tow a snowboarder off of a jump when the slide broke loose.
Irwin Guides immediately began CPR on the victim. CPR was continued during transport via ski toboggan and then via a snowmobile towing an Orion sled to the Kebler Trailhead. The victim was then transferred to a waiting ambulance at approximately 2:40 p.m. where Crested Butte EMTs took over medical service and made transport to Gunnison Valley Hospital.
The victim is identified as Daniel Bradly (Brad) Sethness (date of birth: 05/20/1983), age 32 of Crested Butte, Colorado. Mr. Sethness died of his injuries at the Gunnison Valley Hospital at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Additional information will be release as available.
