A COLORADO AVALANCHE HAS TAKEN THE LIFE OF AN APTOS HIGH GRADUATE AND SNOWBOARDER, AS WELL AS 3 OTHER SNOWBOARDERS AND A SKIER. 33 YEAR-OLD RICK GAUKEL WAS PARTICIPATING IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH BACKCOUNTRY BASH, WHICH IRONICALLY RAISES MONEY FOR THE COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER. CLEAR CREEK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES STATED, THE AVALANCHE WAS 600 FEET WIDE AND 8 FEET DEEP. A MEMORIAL FOR RICK GAUKEL IS TENTATIVELY PLANNED FOR EARLY MAY, IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
