CRESTED BUTTE - A back-country skier was swept up in a minor
avalanche slide near Crested Butte and caught it all on camera.
Chris Miller is a freelance photographer artist. He's lived in
Crested Butte the last three years. In mid-February, he and a
buddy were out skiing along the Ruby Range on Mt. Owen when
Miller accidentally triggered a slide.  The slide was only about
8" to 10" deep, but it carried him down about 60 feet.  "We were
confident the snow pack up there would hold. We've done a lot of
skiing up there and digging around," Miller said.  Miller's
friend is avalanche forecaster and Miller is well experienced
with back country conditions. But sometimes, even the best
experts can't predict the uncertainty of Mother Nature.  Luckily
for Miller, the slide died off after about 1,500 feet.  Miller
did what anyone with experience would do to try and prevent
themselves from sliding further. It is experience and knowledge
that can make all the difference in a situation like this.
Afterward, Miller and his