A Hero of the Hill: Mammoth Mountain Mourns Loss of Ski Patroller

The Mammoth Mountain community has confirmed that 30-year-old ski patroller Cole Murphy passed away on Sunday, December 28, from injuries sustained in a Christmas week avalanche. The incident occurred Friday, December 26, while Murphy and a partner were performing critical avalanche mitigation work on Lincoln Mountain.

Cole was an experienced patroller who viewed his role on the mountain not just as a job, but as a calling. He loved the mountains, lived kindly, and devoted his life to the high country he cherished. This loss resonates deeply within the tight-knit community of patrollers, who serve as the mountain's primary first responders.

The Eastern Sierra had been hammered by a storm cycle, receiving over five feet of snow in just days. This rapid loading creates "High" avalanche danger, putting patrollers in high-consequence zones to ensure the terrain is safe. While one patroller is recovering from surgery for orthopedic injuries, Murphy’s passing marks the second patrol fatality at Mammoth in 2025—a sobering reminder of the inherent risks these professionals face.

At TGR, we live for the deep days, but we never forget those who make them possible. The work of ski patrol happens in the dark, in the cold, and often in the most dangerous conditions imaginable. We urge our community to respect all closures and remember that "open" terrain is the result of immense bravery and sacrifice. Our hearts are with Cole’s partner, Hayley, his family, and the entire Mammoth Mountain crew.