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Risky Conditions For Backcountry Skiers, Boarders

DENVER (CBS4)- Avalanche danger experts are warning of the risky conditions in parts of the high country after an avalanche claimed the life of a backcountry skier.

The danger is classified at "moderate" but skiers and snowboarders need to be on alert.

"The avalanche danger is kind of moderate to considerable, which would be level two or three out of five. It's not too bad, but it's when most fatal accidents happen. That's because when you're at the top end of the scale it's very obvious that there's a danger. When you're at the low end of the scale, you can go a lot of places without getting into trouble. In the middle is where it's tricky," said Colorado Avalanche Information Center spokesman Ethan Greene.

The backcountry skier who died on Parkview Mountain on Tuesday not far from Grand Lake has been identified as George Dirth. Dirth, 28, is from Fraser.

The victim was with two friends who found him after the slide and performed CPR. All three were experienced backcountry travelers.

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