July 24, 1960
William Davis was descending a couloir down Monitor Peak after Ascending Animas Peak when he slipped on the snow near rocks and self-arrested. He dislocated his shoulder in the 6 foot slide. He rode out to the Narrow Gauge train on horseback.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering,
April 2, 1995
David Ganley, Mike Seeburg, and Fred Hutt were climbing Engineer Mountain in snowshoes when Fred sat down on a cornice on the summit, which collapsed. Ganley was killed in the avalanche from extensive head injuries, While Hutt was badly injured. Seeburg was able to provide assistance to Hutt after hiking down to the runout. Hutt was later rescued.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1996
November 10, 1997
Jed Patalan was climbing Animas Mountain with friends when he slid over a cliff band and fell to his death.Source: Rocky Mountain News
February 21, 2004
John Hayward was with a party of four climbing "Stairway to Heaven" near Eureka when an avalanche swept him 600 feet down to the creek. He had just finished a rappel, while the rest of the party remained above. He suffered a broken arm.Source: Durango Herald
February 24, 2004
Dean Brault was ice climbing in Cascade Canyon when he fell 60 feet from the top of the route, impacting a ledge during the fall. He suffered rib and wrist fractures, in addition to bruises and cuts on the face. He was flown out via helicopter.Source: Durango Herald
Vermilion Peak - San Juan County Highpoint