The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released the name of the 46-year-old Bend skier who was killed in an avalanche at Black Crater Thursday. Aaron Griffith was skiing with a friend in the caldera at Black Crater when the avalanche was triggered. Black Crater is a steep-sided shield volcano in the Cascade Range, located north of the Three Sisters and east of McKenzie Pass.
Both skiers were equipped with proper backcountry safety items to include avalanche beacons, shovels, helmets and avalanche probes. The reporting party attempted to locate his friend by utilizing his avalanche beacon, and ultimately was successful. Life saving measures were conducted, however, Griffith had succumbed to his injuries.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit, along with the United States Forest Service responded to the area and assisted the other skier to safety. Due to extreme avalanche danger and failing light Search and Rescue personnel halted recovery efforts until daylight on March 3rd.
