Skier killed by avalanche in Oregon
Two skiers were atop Black Crater, a steep-sided shield volcano in the Cascade Mountains, located north of the Three Sisters and east of McKenzie Pass when the avalanche was triggered.
Watch: Ski patrol blow up the side of a mountain to prevent avalanches
In southwestern Colorado, explosives were launched into the snowy mountain as part of avalanche mitigation. (Courtesy: Telluride Ski Resort)
DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. – A skier from Bend, Oregon, was killed Thursday after getting buried by an avalanche.
Two skiers were atop Black Crater, a steep-sided shield volcano in the Cascade Mountains, located north of the Three Sisters and east of McKenzie Pass, when the avalanche was triggered.
![A skier from Bend, Oregon, was killed Thursday after getting buried by an avalanche.]()
Image 1 of 3A skier from Bend, Oregon, was killed Thursday after getting buried by an avalanche. (Deschutes County Sheriff's Office)
![A skier from Bend, Oregon, was killed Thursday after getting buried by an avalanche.]()
Image 2 of 3A skier from Bend, Oregon, was killed Thursday after getting buried by an avalanche. (Deschutes County Sheriff's Office)
![A skier from Bend, Oregon, was killed Thursday after getting buried by an avalanche.]()
Image 3 of 3A skier from Bend, Oregon, was killed Thursday after getting buried by an avalanche. (Deschutes County Sheriff's Office)
According to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, one of the skiers called 911 and said his friend was caught up in the avalanche and was no longer visible and possibly injured.
First responders said both skiers were adequately equipped with safety items, including avalanche beacons, shovels, helmets, and probes.
DANGERS OF AVALANCHES AND HOW TO STAY SAFE ON THE SLOPES
How does an avalanche rescue dog find a buried person?
A FOX 21 reporters takes us to the slopes and bravely gets buried under the snow to find out first hand how avalanche rescue dogs sniff out their victims.
The skier, who hasn't been identified, tried to locate his friend using the avalanche beacon and was ultimately successful. The sheriff's office said the skier provided life-saving measures but was unsuccessful and his friend died.
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue unit and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the area and helped the surviving skier down the mountain.
However, due to the extreme avalanche danger, recovery efforts for the other skier, who was identified as Aaron Griffith, 46, were suspended until Friday morning.