Search and Rescue locates out of bounds snowboarder near Cold Creek

Search and Rescue volunteers from El Dorado County recently responded to a report of an out-of-bounds snowboarder from Heavenly who ended up near the Montgomery Estates neighborhood. Twelve volunteers on skis, snowmobiles and snowshoes made their way about four miles into the wilderness before locating 41 year-old Pavel Kletsov.

On Friday, December 11, Kletsov left the boundaries of Heavenly Valley Ski Resort and ended up in the Cold Creek Drainage, just above Montgomery Estates. Due to the fresh new snow and terrain he got stuck and could not get out on his own.

Temperatures that evening were in the teens making the incident a very urgent one. GPS coordinates from a 911 call were used to identify Kletsov’s location.

SAR volunteers located Kletsov and brought him out safely.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Search and Rescue teams throughout the area would like to remind all back-country enthusiasts to be prepared, have a plan and stick to their plan.

Do not use ski resorts to access the back-country unless you are experienced, fully equipped, and prepared to navigate in back-country conditions. Skiing out of bounds may be subject to a fine.