Lolo, MT – Even though it’s June, skiers and riders must still practice safe backcountry travel. That’s the lesson to be learned from an announcement from the Missolua County, Montana Coroner’s office, which announced that a backcountry skier died in a slide on Lolo Peak last Tuesday.nThe body of 37-year-old Chris Spurgeon of Missoula was removed from the peak in western Montana on Friday afternoon by helicopter. Searchers began looking for Spurgeon after friends reported him absent from work for two days. His body was found about 500 feet from the summit, with his skis much further downhill.

Coroner Mike Dominick reported that Spurgeon, who was reportedly an experienced backcountry skier, died of blunt force trauma. He was skiing alone.