Cole Murphy, a 30-year-old ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain, died from injuries sustained in an avalanche on Lincoln Mountain on Dec. 26. He and another patroller were conducting avalanche mitigation when the slide occurred; the second patroller was hospitalized with possible broken bones. The Eastern Sierra had received over five feet of snow and avalanche warnings were in effect. Family and local officials paid tribute to Murphy, describing his devotion to the mountains and patrol work.
Cole Murphy, 30, Killed in Avalanche During Mitigation Work at Mammoth Mountain — Family Says He 'Felt Most Alive' on the Mountain
Mammoth Mountain FacebookCole Murphy.
Cole Murphy, a 30-year-old ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain, died after being critically injured in an avalanche while conducting mitigation work in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. The resort confirmed his death on Dec. 28; the slide occurred three days earlier on Lincoln Mountain.
Incident
The Mammoth Mountain ski patrol team was performing avalanche mitigation at about 7:30 a.m. local time on Friday, Dec. 26, when an avalanche swept over Lincoln Mountain. Two patrollers were caught in the slide and transported to a nearby hospital. Murphy was critically injured and later died; his colleague was treated for possible broken bones.
Conditions And Warnings
The region had received more than five feet of snow since the start of the week. On Dec. 26 the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center warned of very dangerous avalanche conditions, noting that heavy snowfall and strong southwest winds made both natural and human-triggered avalanches likely and advising people to avoid slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.
AlamyThe Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.
Response And Tributes
Mammoth Mountain described Murphy as an experienced patroller with a deep passion for the mountains and a strong devotion to his work. The resort and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office shared tributes acknowledging the risks patrollers face and mourning his loss.
'In these tender days, he is held close by his family and friends who cherished him deeply,' the Murphy family said in a statement shared by Mammoth Mountain. 'Cole moved through the world with kindness, intention, and a wholehearted devotion to the life he chose.'
Murphy is survived by his partner, Hayley, who his family said was at the 'center of his heart.' The Mono County Sheriff’s Office asked the community to keep Murphy’s family, friends and coworkers in their thoughts, saying they consider ski patrollers first responders and family.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment after the initial reports.
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