Irony of the day: director of the Wallowa Avalanche Center in Pendleton killed in an avalanche

Kip Rand died Tuesday in a steep fall and avalanche. Rand was skiing near Chief Joseph Mountain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. 

"Kip was out enjoying some backcountry skiing with an out-of-town friend on a welcome day off from the demanding duties at the avalanche center," the center said.

Wallowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers says it appears Rand was caught at the top of an avalanche and carried 600 feet down a nearly vertical slope.  

"He came to us with extensive avalanche training, many years of experience as a guide, avalanche educator and pro observer," according to the center's statement.

Apparently, all that was not enough.