A day of fun in Colorado's backcountry turned deadly over the weekend.

Tragic Colorado Weekend

Two outdoor enthusiasts and their dog perished Saturday when they were caught in an R3 avalanche while snowshoeing near North Star Mountain on Hoosier Pass. The pass is located about 11 miles south of Breckenridge in Summit County.

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Snowshoers Were Reported Overdue

According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the two snowshoers were reported overdue following an outing on Saturday. Deputies from the Summit County Sheriff's Office volunteers from the Summit County Rescue Group, and Flight For Life began searching areas west of Hoosier Pass. Searchers found evidence of a recent avalanche and faint snowshoe tracks on a flank of North Star Mountain.

Summit County Rescue Group via CAIC
Summit County Rescue Group via CAIC
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Victims Located By Rescue Dog

Both individuals and their dog were located by an avalanche rescue dog. All three were completely buried by avalanche debris and all three were deceased. Their identity has not yet been released.

Summit County Rescue Group via CAIC
Summit County Rescue Group via CAIC
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Avalanche Was 400 Feet Wide

The CAIC says the avalanche broke about 400 feet wide and ran 250 vertical feet and broke into old snow layers. The CAIC staff will visit the site Monday and have a full report later this week.

Summit County Rescue Group via CAIC
Summit County Rescue Group via CAIC
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Avalanche Danger Across the State

The avalanche danger in Colorado over the weekend was at level three in the northern mountains and at level two in the central and southern mountains. The CAIC says the danger level is currently trending downward but the trend varies in different parts of the state. It's getting harder to trigger an avalanche in Colorado but, the CAIC says when you do  "it's going to be big."

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