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Avalanche kills Oregon avalanche center director

Eric Gullickson, an instructor with the Northwest Avalanche Center, points toward the sky as he explains how a slope heated by the sun can affect the possibility of an avalanche as he leads teenagers on an avalanche awareness field trip at Mount Baker, Washington. As more young adults head out of bounds to ski, snowboard or hike in the winter, experts are targeting their message about avalanche safety and knowledge to an even younger audience. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
Eric Gullickson, an instructor with the Northwest Avalanche Center, points toward the sky as he explains how a slope heated by the sun can affect the possibility of an avalanche as he leads teenagers on an avalanche awareness field trip at Mount Baker, Washington. As more young adults head out of bounds to ski, snowboard or hike in the winter, experts are targeting their message about avalanche safety and knowledge to an even younger audience. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
WINTERSPORTS – The director of an avalanche center in Oregon who taught winter survival and avalanche awareness courses has died in an avalanche.

The EO Media Group reports that Wallowa Avalanche Center Director Kip Rand was killed Tuesday in a steep fall and avalanche. Rand was skiing near Chief Joseph Mountain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

Wallowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers says it appears Rand was caught at the top of an avalanche and carried 600 feet down a nearly vertical slope.

Rand’s skiing partner told authorities that Rand initially survived the slide but was dead by the time help arrived.

The Wallow Avalanche Center says Rand grew up in Boise, Idaho, and was an experienced guide and avalanche educator.

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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