Terrible situation, can't imagine. My heart goes out to the friends and family.
CAIC Preliminary Report
http://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/acc/acc_report.php?accfm=rep&acc_id=532
Montezuma County Sheriff Facebook Posts:
https://www.facebook.com/MontezumaSheriff
3/7/14:
Avalanche
On March 5, 2014 at approximately 1308 hours, a search and rescue mission was requested by Mancos Fire. A snowmobiler was able to ride to a high spot and contact the fire department advising of an avalanche and a missing rider. After the initial report the Sheriffs Office was able to get the names of five snowmobilers that were in the remote area. Sheriff Spruell activated Montezuma County Search and Rescue. The location was on the back side of Shark Tooth Mountain also known as the head of Bear Creek. Due to the remote area, access could be made only by helicopter or expert snowmobile riders. There is neither cell phone nor radio service in the slide area making communications impossible. Sheriff Spruell contacted San Miguel County and arranged for two private helicopter companies experienced in Avalanche dangers to respond. The helicopters brought in an avalanche team and trained avalanche detector dogs. The team worked past dark locating the snowmobile and the rider’s helmet. The snowmobile was buried under 25 foot of snow. The snowmobiler swept away by the avalanche was not found.
The four remaining snowmobilers were able to ride out of the area after helping search for their lost companion until almost dark and exhaustion set in. The missing person was identified as Robert Yates, a Montezuma County resident.
Sheriff Spruell called the Colorado Avalanche Control Center and arranged to meet with two Avalanche specialists on the morning of March 6th. A helicopter from Care Flight responded to take the avalanche control experts on a fly over to access the scene. A black hawk helicopter from Buckley Air Force National Guard high altitude unit responded to lift searchers over the mountain to the scene. A group of expert snowmobilers gathered in Mancos to assist with the search. The group was made up of the Sheriff, avalanche experts and friends and family of Robert Yates. The snowmobilers unloaded their sleds near Transfer Park and rode to the top of Windy Gap near Sharks Tooth. Due to unstable conditions the riders were not allowed over the mountain to the top of the slide area. A landing zone was constructed for the Blackhawk. The Blackhawk arrived and transported eight searchers at a time over the mountain (within) 350 yards of the bottom of the slide. Twenty searchers then crawled and walked in very deep snow to the slide and began a systematic probe search. The Elevation is around 11,500 feet. Searchers dug in several locations. The snowmobile, that had been located the day before, was dug out from under approximately 25 feet of snow. The Blackhawk came back just before dark and returned the snowmobilers to their sleds. As the Blackhawk was transporting the searchers it began to snow. The snowmobilers then rode approximately 20 miles to their vehicles. Unfortunately Robert Yates was not found.
The Sheriff was advised that bad weather was coming and searching the following day would be extremely hazardous. After discussing the operation with the Avalanche control experts it was determined to watch the weather before making another search attempt. It is possible that an explosion will have to be set to relieve a possible avalanche overhang. The new avalanche may deposit another thirty feet of snow on the already thirty feet of existing snow.
Sheriff Spruell has been in touch with several organizations including the Summit County Avalanche team. They have several dogs and have an instrument that detects specialized clothing on victims buried in snow. It is unknown if the clothing worn by Robert Yates had that feature. Another attempt will be made to bring Robert home.
The family asked the Sheriff to thank all volunteers and professionals.
At this time the Sheriff does not need search volunteers but has a phone chain to begin the process of getting assistance. If you would like your name on the list contact Sheriff’s Assistant Wanda Martin at 970-564-4760.
You will be updated via Facebook posts when search operations continue.
3/10/14
Avalanche Update
On 3/09/2014 a team of snowmobilers went to the head of the avalanche site in hopes of conducting another limited search. While at the scene another avalanche occurred covering the entire slide area with another 30 feet of snow. The slide area now contains approximately 60 feet of snow. The Sheriff talked to experts with avalanche recovery dogs and specialized equipment. The dog handlers believed the success with the dogs would be limited, or impossible, considering the new snow deposit. It was a unanimous decision the conditions were too dangerous to attempt another search.
As conditions change a search will be reevaluated. The Deputy Emergency Manager will prepare an incident action plan to insure safety of all searchers as well as the best possible methods for recovery of Mr. Yates.
The Sheriff would like to thank all searchers and the community for the tremendous support they have shown during this tragedy. Please use caution during the extreme avalanche danger in the back country.
