Brothers in avalanche thought each other died

SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, Colo. — Two brothers survived what authorities describe as a major avalanche on a popular backcountry ski route Wednesday — despite the fact they both thought the other was dead.

The brothers, identified as Alex and Brian Holmes, were skiing from Trout Lake to Ophir. According to the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office, Brian, 26, started to descend from the top of the Fatwa area near Waterfall Canyon when he triggered an avalanche.

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Alex, 27, saw the "massive slide" sweep his brother out of sight. When he tried to ski down, he triggered a second slide, and — deeming the conditions too dangerous— tried to return to Trout Lake for help, believing his brother was dead.

But Brian was actually 1,000 feet down the slide — and alive.

The sheriff's office says he landed on his back and was mostly buried in snow, with only his face and one arm exposed. It took him 10 to 15 minutes to escape, before he started an hourlong search for his brother — who he also thought was dead.

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But as this was happening, Alex had contacted search and rescue personnel, who launched a helicopter and sent Telluride Ski Patrollers with a trained avalanche dog to the scene.

During the mission, dispatchers received a call from Brian's phone. They say they heard someone breathing, but never spoke to anyone.

Brian ultimately made it back to Ophir, prompting rescuers to "stand down," the sheriff's office said.

Despite the severity of the avalanche, Brian is expected to survive his injuries.

Follow Allison Sylte on Twitter: @AllisonSylte​