Mountain Climber Captures Moment He Is Caught in Avalanche 400 Feet Up

A mountain climber in Colorado managed to capture the moment he was hit by an avalanche while climbing some 400 feet up.

The nail-biting footage was recorded by Leland Nisky during a day off work as he made his way up The Ribbon, in Ouray, while he was unroped and alone on February 8, according to Climbing magazine.

In the Instagram clip, which can be viewed here, Nisky can be seen hanging from the edge of a mountain with just one ice ax holding him firmly in place.

But soon afterward an avalanche begins, forcing Nisky to quickly hack at the ice sheet with his other ice ax in a bid to properly secure himself in place.

Now held firmly in place by the ice axes, Nisky endured the avalanche as snow and ice relentlessly continued to hit him, leaving him almost completely covered.

In his Instagram post, Nisky said: "This was probably one of the most terrifying experiences I've had while solo climbing.

"Took absolutely every ounce of strength I could muster to keep holding onto my tools. I was on edge about posting this to social media, but it seemed too insane that I had caught it on camera to not.

"Grateful for years of experience and training in stressful situations to keep me calm and allow me to make it through this freak situation and get back home safe."

Since being uploaded on February 10, the clip has attracted some 73,690 views and hundreds of comments.

Many praised Nisky for keeping his cool during the tense situation and managing to hold on despite the onslaught of snow and ice.

One Instagram user said: "Gnarliest video I've ever seen period. Good work dude."

Another added: "Such incredible footage and extraordinary demonstration of skillfulness and strength. So glad you're safe."

While a third commented: "Holy smokes, I'm glad you're okay. That seemed like it lasted forever watching it on a little screen while warm, dry and safe. I can't imagine how that felt for you."

Nisky later told Climbing magazine more about how he felt during the avalanche, saying: "Sheer unbridled terror. I swung wildly trying to get my second tool into place. I thought for sure I was going to die. Then I felt calm. I focused on my breathing. I pushed any thought out of my head. I kept breathing, slowing my heart rate. I knew that, no matter what, I was going to hold onto my tools."

He added the avalanche lasted for about two minutes before it started to slow down, giving him a chance to downclimb.

Newsweek has contacted Nisky for comment.

Mountain climbing can be a risky pursuit for outdoor enthusiasts as one revealed to followers in 2021.

Fahad Badar, a Qatari banker, shared a shocking TikTok video where he showed the fingers and thumb of his left hand had been left lifeless due to frostbite.

The clip, which was viewed by tens of millions, was filmed three weeks ahead of an operation to remove the affected digits.