Ice Climber Killed on Colorado Ice Climb

The Colorado Avalanche Info Center has released a description of a recent accident near Ouray. The avalanche danger in the area has been high over the past week.

The victim has been identified as Van Le Little, 44, from Seattle. Little had been climbing with three others on the Dungeon Ice Climbing route, which is across the river from mile marker 89 on Highway 550, according to a statement from Glenn Boyd, Ouray County emergency manager.

A block of ice broke from higher on the route and caused an avalanche that fully buried Little. Nobody else was injured in the accident.

View this post on Instagram

An ice climber was killed in the Uncompahgre Gorge south of Ouray Colorado on January 18, 2020 when a falling block of ice triggered a small avalanche. The victim was hit by the snow and ice. She was caught and carried in the avalanche. She came to rest in the creek where she was fully buried. The victim was not climbing at the time of the accident. She was untethered. Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and everyone affected by this accident. You can read the Preliminary Report at colorado.gov/avalanche/accidents/colorado/

A post shared by Colorado Avalanche Info Center (@coavalancheinfo) on Jan 18, 2020 at 6:57pm PST