Weekend Accidents

(Last Updated On: January 18, 2010)

There were a couple of tragic freak accidents in the Colorado backcountry this weekend. One was right here in Crested Butte. A local skier was ascending the skintrack to ski “Coney’s” when he apparently collapsed and died of what appears to be a heart attack from what I hear. I’ve been told he was only 35.

Meanwhile, in Telluride, a woman who was snowboarding with Telluride Helitrax accidentally fell into a creek and drowned. What is really strange about this story is that reports have indicated the guide was unable to free her because her helmet was wedged under a rock. This may be the rare circumstance when a helmet may have contributed to a death, rather than preventing one. More information on this accident can be found at the Telluride Daily Planet and the L.A Times Read the comments in the L.A.Times for an outrageous take on what “gender roles” had to do with this accident.

Some of the dangers of the backcountry are a given, such as avalanches. The thought of a backcountry partner having a heart attack in the backcountry is a tough one, knowing there is nothing that could ever be done in a case like that. Likewise, while creek crossings evoke a healthy dose of respect in the backcountry, who would think that a helmet would create a deadly situation like that.

Frank Konsella

Frank loves snow more than anything... except his wife.  He ensures his food is digested properly by chewing it 32 times before swallowing.He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter.

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Frank Konsella

Frank loves snow more than anything... except his wife.    He ensures his food is digested properly by chewing it 32 times before swallowing. He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter.

2 thoughts on “Weekend Accidents

  • January 19, 2010 at 8:07 am
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    Don’t forget about the guy who died from head injuries at copper while wearing a helmet. You really think one of those is going to help when you are going twice as fast as he was?

  • January 19, 2010 at 9:12 pm
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    You tend to climb with a helmet, right? You think that will do much of anything versus any rockfall bigger than a golf ball?

    Did you ever meet Mike Paris back when you were competing? Guy wouldn’t be making Igneous skis these day if it weren’t for his helmet. Pretty sure Darren Glick wouldn’t be painting for Fitz after that fall he took in Slot Rocks in the comp a few years back if he hadn’t been wearing a helmet, either.

    Not that they protect from everything, but there better than a hat. (Actually, I think a few helmets these days aren’t much better than hats, but that’s a whole different subject.)

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