GoPro Camera Survives Sweeping Avalanche In Colorado

We've all seen our fair share of videos of avalanches, but Brett Schreckengost managed to capture a rarely-seen angle thanks to his trusty GoPro and some clever planning.

Watch as Schreckengost's camera captures and survives a monstrous avalanche in Telluride, CO below. Tap to play video, and as they say, wait for it...

While it's impressive that the GoPro survived such a large slide, the footage provides something rarely seen on film- what it looks like as an avalanche is approaching.

Without having to run away or duck for cover, Schreckengost's stationary GoPro captures the billowing cloud of snow right until the last second.

It's as beautiful as it is terrifying. The debris seems to move almost independently of known physics as it expands and smothers the air and terrain in its path.

As a skier, it's a view I hope to never experience in person.

This still image is enough to send shivers down the spines of skiers and backcountry enthusiasts.
This still image is enough to send shivers down the spines of skiers and backcountry enthusiasts.

It's unclear how long it took Schreckengost to recover the camera, but considering the massive cloud of avalanche debris that envelops the camera right before the video shuts off, he had his work cut out for him.

Schreckengost was paid a cool $1,000 for submitting the video to the GoPro awards. That's at least enough money to replace the camera used for the clip if it was damaged in any fashion.

That's not a bad payday for recording an avalanche video. 2024... What a time to be alive!

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