At a Glance
- 30-year-old ski patroller Cole Murphy died in an avalanche on Lincoln Mountain.
- The avalanche occurred Friday during an atmospheric-river-driven storm.
- Family and colleagues will donate his organs to honor his legacy.
- Why it matters: The loss highlights the danger of avalanches and the importance of patrollers’ training.
Mammoth Mountain’s ski patrol community lost one of its own when 30-year-old Cole Murphy was killed in an avalanche on Lincoln Mountain on Friday. The incident came amid a storm that brought heavy snow and rain to the Sierra Nevada.
Tragic Avalanche Claims Patroller
The avalanche struck while Murphy and another patroller were performing mitigation work. The second patroller survived after successful surgery, according to Mammoth Resort. The incident underscored the critical role of patrollers in mountain safety.
- hilarious
- uplifting
- hardworking
- genuine
- unrecognized hero
Community Response and Organ Donation
Doug Andreassen, a fellow patroller, spoke at the hospital where the two men were taken. He said the avalanche was a sudden slide that took Murphy’s life.
Doug Andreassen said:
> “He love it so much. He cared for everybody. There wasn’t a person on the slopes he didn’t care about.”
Andreassen added that the second patroller was recovering and that the team had visited the hospital in large numbers.
Doug Andreassen added:
> “That will give a little bit of Cole’s spirit out there to others.”
Family members released a statement saying the mountain was where Cole felt most alive and that his service on ski patrol was a calling. They thanked the patrol family for loving him as one of their own.
Family members said:
> “The mountain was where Cole felt most alive. It was his place of purpose, his community, and his second home. Serving on ski patrol wasn’t just a role for him-it was a calling. To his ski patrol family, the ones who worked beside him, had confidence in him, and shared a bond shaped by snow, service, and unwavering camaraderie: thank you for loving him as one of your own. That brotherhood meant more to him than words can ever express.”
Murphy’s organs will be donated, a gesture that will keep his spirit alive for others.
Key Takeaways
- 30-year-old Cole Murphy died in an avalanche on Lincoln Mountain.
- The incident highlighted the vital work of ski patrollers and the risks they face.
- Family and colleagues will donate his organs to honor his legacy.
The community mourns a dedicated patroller whose life and spirit continue to inspire.
