Colorado Skier Killed in Slide Altered Route up Maroon Bowl

Last week, a Colorado mountain rescue team recovered the body of a longtime team member who died in a weekend avalanche.

The Pitkin County sheriff’s office says members of Mountain Rescue Aspen recovered the body of 57-year-old John Galvin on Tuesday morning. Galvin died in an avalanche while he was backcountry skiing out of bounds near the Aspen Highlands ski resort.

The recovery effort was delayed because of dangerous snow conditions.

The Aspen Times reports that the Colorado Army National Guard carried four team members to the spot via Blackhawk helicopter while others were posted at the ski resort to act as spotters and backup rescuers.

Galvin had been a volunteer member of Aspen Mountain Rescue for 30 years. A second skier, who hasn’t been identified, was injured in Sunday’s avalanche but was able to call for help.

A final accident report of John Galvin’s death says the Aspen search and rescue skier yelled “we’re going for a ride” to his partner as they triggered an avalanche, sending both down the top of Maroon Bowl.

The Aspen Times reports that the 57-year-old Galvin died April 8 after the slide swept him into a tree. The other skier received minor injuries and was able to ski out.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center report says that the two had altered their plan while ascending Maroon Bowl and increased their exposure to hazard.

Members of the Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol witnessed the accident from the Loge Peak Station. They immediately called 911 and determined it was too dangerous to respond to the scene.

The surviving skier attempted CPR to no avail.