In a horribly ironic twist of fate, the man who served as director of Oregon's Avalanche Center has died while skiing, after being swept down a mountain by an avalanche.

 Officials with the Wallowa Avalanche Control center said Kip Rand died Tuesday after being carried over 600 feet down the face of a steep slope near  Chief Joseph Mountain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness area.

Rand, who was an experienced skier, apparently got caught in the top of the slide, and was carried down the slope. He apparently initially survived the slide, but died before he could be transported for medical care.

He grew up in Boise, Idaho, said officials, and was an experienced guide, skier and avalanche educator.

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