Who is Aidan Croft? Biography, Age & Wikipedia

A 22-year-old man from Wisconsin, Aidan Croft, is lucky to be alive after triggering an avalanche while snowmobiling in Hahns Peak, Colorado—and capturing the terrifying ordeal on his GoPro camera.

A Routine Ride Turns Dangerous

Croft, who considers himself the most experienced snowmobiler in his group, was attempting to find an easier route up the mountain when he realized he shouldn’t climb the hill alone. As he turned around, he unintentionally triggered an avalanche from 400 feet above him.

Before he knew it, he was buried under four feet of snow, and his GoPro footage went dark.

“I saw a little bit of daylight when I was buried,” Croft told PEOPLE, explaining how he managed to create an air pocket to breathe. But he was trapped beneath a six-foot snow shelf, which could collapse at any moment.

Calling for Help While Buried Alive

Croft’s first priority was finding his ham radio, which took 10 minutes. Fortunately, he was able to get a signal and call for help. “I’m like, ‘Hey guys, I need emergency help right now. I am literally buried in an avalanche. You guys have to bring a shovel.’”

After alerting his group, he remained trapped for 90 minutes, trying to make himself comfortable. He dug out as much snow as possible to move his legs, but as the snow melted around him, it turned into solid ice, making escape even harder.

Admitting to a moment of panic, Croft said, “While I was in the slide, I tried to keep my cool, because panicking is one of the worst things you can do in an avalanche. But my brain was going a thousand miles a minute.”

Rescue and a Life-Saving Lesson

Thankfully, three snowmobilers flagged by his group arrived with shovels and started digging. After 90 minutes underground, Croft was finally freed.

His first reaction? Gratitude. “The first thing I did was hug my rescuers and say, ‘You guys literally saved my life. I owe you so much. Let me know where you’re at so I can get you a pack of beer.'”

Amazingly, Croft suffered no injuries and did not require hospitalization. However, he emphasized the importance of avalanche safety.

A Warning for Other Adventurers

Croft hopes his near-death experience serves as a reminder for others: “Take nature more seriously. Follow safety precautions. Always check avalanche forecasts. If you ever doubt whether you need avalanche gear—you probably do.”

His survival story is a miracle and a warning: Respect nature, and always be prepared