A 30-year-old ski patroller who "felt most alive" in the mountains has been killed in an avalanche at Mammoth Mountain resort in central California after more than 5 feet of snow fell in three days.
Cole Murphy was conducting avalanche mitigation work for the safety of resort guests on Lincoln Mountain when disaster struck. Murphy and another ski patroller were swept up in an avalanche on Friday, Dec. 26.
The resort announced that Murphy died of his injuries on Sunday, Dec. 28, remembering the young man as "experienced patroller with a deep passion for the mountains and love for his career."
Cole Murphy's family honors his life
Murphy's parents said in a statement that their son "moved through the world with kindness, intention, and a wholehearted devotion to the life he chose."
"The mountain was where Cole felt most alive," they said. "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 his calling."
Murphy's parents thanked the ski patrol family for loving him as one of their own. "That brotherhood meant more to him than words can express," they said.
They said that family meant the world to Murphy and that his longtime partner Hayley was "at the center" of his heart.
"Their love was built on adventure, laughter, and a connection that ran deep," they said. "She is forever a part of who he was, and always will be."
They ended by saying: "As we begin to navigate the path ahead, we carry with us the memories, the love, and the bright, enduring light that Cole brought into all of our lives."
Avalanche risk subsides after major snowfall
Substantial snow fell in recent days in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which includes Mammoth, resulting in multiple avalanches throughout the region after Christmas. Mammoth Mountain was closed due to the avalanche risk on Friday and reopened Sunday.
Avalanche risk was reduced to moderate levels in the Sierra Nevada as of Monday morning. The Sierra Avalanche Center said that avalanche danger was high throughout the end of last week.
On Christmas Day, a backcountry skier was rescued after being buried in an avalanche near the summit of Mt. Rose near Lake Tahoe.
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