Cottonwood Pass avalanche victim identified

The victim killed in the avalanche on Cottonwood Pass near Lost Lake in northern Chaffee County Friday has been identified as Ron Brabander, a 58 year old resident of Woodland Park.

Brabander was riding his snow bike alone in the Lost Lake area of Cottonwood Pass when he was caught in a very large avalanche. Rescuers reported that the avalanche was approximately one quarter mile wide and three quarters of a mile long.

Snowmobilers heard the avalanche and checked the slide for victims however they saw nothing suspicious. They eventually reported the slide to members of Chaffee County Search and Rescue North who were also in the area training. They went to the avalanche site and discovered Brabander. They administered CPR but attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene.