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DENVER The deaths of three people in two Colorado avalanches since Friday have experts warning those headed to the mountainous backcountry to be careful and pay attention to forecasts.
A rescue team on Sunday recovered the bodies of two skiers caught in an avalanche a day earlier near Ophir Pass in southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management said.
Albert Perry, 55, and Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, 51, both of nearby Durango, were reported missing after heading out for a ski trip north of Silverton, a former mining town and recreational hub nestled in the mountains, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
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December 21, 2020 - 12:40 PM
DENVER - The deaths of three people in two Colorado avalanches since Friday have experts warning those headed to the mountainous backcountry to be careful and pay attention to forecasts.
A rescue team on Sunday recovered the bodies of two skiers caught in an avalanche a day earlier near Ophir Pass in southwestern Colorado s San Juan Mountains, the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management said.
Albert Perry, 55, and Dr. Jeff Paffendorf, 51, both of nearby Durango, were reported missing after heading out for a ski trip north of Silverton, a former mining town and recreational hub nestled in the mountains, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
The bodies of two backcountry skiers were found in avalanche debris near Silverton on Saturday.
The skiers were reported overdue and later found dead in an area known as “the Battleship,” which is southeast of Ophir Pass.
“In the dark from a helicopter, rescuers could see a large avalanche and ski tracks,” the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said in a preliminary report on the slide. “The two skiers were later found buried in the avalanche debris.”
The San Juan County Office of Emergency Management said an operation to recover the bodies was underway Sunday. The victims were identified as 55-year-old Albert Perry and 51-year-old Dr. Jeff Paffendorf. Both were from Durango.
AZTEC The Farmington City Council will hear an update on the COVID-19 situation in the community during its 9 a.m. Dec. 15 work session, which is being conducted via Zoom.
The city has invited representatives from San Juan Regional Medical Center, the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management and the Farmington Fire Department to give the update.
The public can attend the meeting by contacting ajones@fmtn.org or calling 505-599-1101 to obtain the passcode. A recording will also be posted on fmtn.org/AgendaCenter following the meeting.
County Commission set to appoint new probate judge
San Juan County Commission is scheduled to appoint a new probate judge during the 4 p.m. Dec. 15 meeting. The commission will likely go into closed session and then reconvene to appoint the new judge. The judicial vacancy occurred when the previous judge, Stacey Biel, vacated the seat after being elected magistrate judge.