On November 27, 2005, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services received a report of an overdue skier in the Cameron Pass area of Larimer and Jackson Counties.  Several area agencies, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Diamond Peaks Search and Rescue, and Larimer County Search and Rescue responded.  Search efforts began shortly after receiving the report.  Officials reported cold temperatures and up to one foot of fresh snow in the search area.  Search efforts were further hampered by near-white out conditions caused by blowing winds.   

On November 28, 2005, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Matt Flach, a 40-year-old resident of Fort Collins, began skiing down an area road in Jackson County where he met a Colorado State Ranger.  Larimer County Sheriff’s Office officials were notified at approximately 9:00 a.m. that Mr. Flach had been found.  Upon contact, Mr. Flach was cold, wet, tired, and hungry, but needed no medical attention.  He reportedly became disoriented Sunday while skiing the Diamond Peaks area, approximately seven miles from where he was located.  At 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Mr. Flach reportedly took shelter under a tree where he spent the next 12 hours.  Mr. Flach was carrying limited food, spare clothing, and a shovel.   

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizen’s to be mindful of changing weather conditions and to be adequately prepared while enjoying the back country