Teams proceed with searches in challenging conditions of heavy snowfall and powerful winds to locate a lost snowboarder on Vail mountain that went missing.
In the picturesque Vail mountain in Colorado, the search is currently underway for Connor Gill, a local snowboarder from the Denver area. Connor was reported missing on September 19, 2020, and has not been seen since that date.
Connor was last scanned at 8:50 a.m. on Friday morning. He was reported overdue at approximately 4:30 p.m. on the same day. The search area is around Avanti on the front side of the mountain, a location commonly ridden by Connor.
Standing at six feet tall, weighing 195 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes, Connor was wearing an orange ski suit with blue accents on the top part, a grey helmet, and was riding on a Salomon snowboard.
The mountain has seen over three feet of snow in the last week, and 27 inches have fallen in the last 48 hours. The deep snow and potential tree wells can pose risks in the trees, making the search conditions challenging due to snow and high winds.
While staying on the ski runs is generally safer, skiing with a friend can increase safety. Wearing a helmet is recommended for skiing, and clothing or gear equipped with a RECCO reflector can aid ski patrol in locating you.
In the event of an emergency, it's important to take steps to keep your phone charged. The Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity 2.0 Ski Shell Jacket, for instance, has a Life Pocket to protect and keep your phone within reach.
Search teams are using cellphone pings, search dogs, and drones when possible. The article also provides tips on skiing safety and keeping your phone from dying in the cold.
This is not the first time Vail mountain has faced such a situation. In 2019, Yulong Chen, a skier from China, disappeared while skiing Vail's back bowls in a snowstorm. His remains were found six months later.
The search for Connor Gill is being conducted by Vail Mountain Rescue and Vail Ski Patrol. The best avalanche beacons and ski backpacks are mentioned in the article, but specific details are not provided.
As the search continues, the community hopes for a swift and safe recovery of Connor Gill.
