A Minnesota man died after a snowboarding incident near Silverton on March 16.
Ronald Smith, 54, of St. Paul, was found head-down in a tree well off County Road 20A above the Lackawanna Mill on the northwest side of Kendall Mountain. He was snowboarding with his son and cousin who called 911 and began CPR, according to his wife, Pamela Smith.
Smith was transported by Flight For Life to St. Mary's Regional Hospital in Grand Junction and died the next day. An autopsy was performed, San Juan County Coroner Keri Metzler said, but the cause of death has not yet been formally determined.
A tree well is a hole in the snow around the base of a tree, formed when branches shield the ground from snowfall and compaction. Skiers or snowboarders can fall into tree wells and may not be able to escape without assistance. Deaths related to tree wells are often caused by snow immersion suffocation. More information about the risks of deep snow can be found at deepsnowsafety.org.
“Ron was a loving husband and caring father who offered unconditional love and support,” Smith’s family wrote in an obituary. “He took great interest in his children’s passions, pursuits and personal development. He embraced adventure and lived his life to the fullest, enjoying snowboarding, mountain biking, road biking, motorcycling, guitar playing, traveling, and creating memories with his family and friends.”
In a remembrance written by one of Smith’s college friends and shared with The Durango Herald by Pamela Smith, Ron was described as thoughtful, warm and kind.
“He had a way of making you feel heard and valued, and his spirit left a lasting impression on everyone around him,” the friend wrote.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
