A rock fall and avalanche on Mt Meeker result in one fatality and two rescues as search teams battle harsh conditions.

An avalanche that struck on Sunday morning in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park has left one climber dead and two others injured. The incident occurred near the Dreamweaver Couloir on Mt Meeker, a treacherous section of the mountain, when a rock fall triggered the avalanche around 9am.

Climbers in the vicinity witnessed the slide and quickly alerted search and rescue teams. Despite the challenging weather conditions, rescue efforts were launched, and helicopters were dispatched to assist with the high-altitude operation.

At approximately 11,500 feet, two climbers, a male with severe injuries and a female with less serious wounds, were airlifted to safety. A Colorado National Guard helicopter from Buckley Air Force Base was called in to assist with a hoist operation to retrieve the injured man. The rescue took place at around 2pm, within a brief window of better weather. Both the man and woman were airlifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Meanwhile, a ground team fought through snow and poor visibility to locate the third climber, a male who was found deceased under avalanche debris. Rescue teams used RECCO radar devices and search dogs in their efforts to locate the missing climber, who was later confirmed dead.

The identities of the victims are being withheld pending family notification.

This incident highlights growing concerns about avalanche risks in the US. Experts suggest that climate change, along with pandemic-related increases in outdoor activity, may contribute to a rise in avalanche-related fatalities. February 2021, for instance, recorded one of the deadliest months for avalanches in the US in a century.