Backcountry skier who died in avalanche was once a member of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team
![<i>Colorado Avalanche Information Center/KCNC via CNN Newsource</i><br/>Donald Moden Jr.](https://kvia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KCNCCOModendiedavalancherescueteam115.jpg)
Donald Moden Jr.
By Jesse Sarles
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Colorado (KCNC) — An experienced solo backcountry skier and a one-time member of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team was the person who died in an avalanche in Colorado a week ago. It is the only fatal avalanche in the state so far this winter.
On Jan. 7 Donald Moden Jr., 57, died on Red Mountain Number 3 near Red Mountain Pass.
Moden’s wife contacted the sheriff’s office when he missed a planned check-in. Then she went to the trailhead, found the avalanche and located her husband in a popular area for skiing known as Bollywood.
He was buried in 3 feet of snow, which was too deep for a self rescue.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center says he was wearing an avalanche rescue transceiver and an avalanche airbag backpack which had not been deployed.
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