Weeks after surviving an avalanche, two Colorado snowboarders were surprised to find out that they are facing reckless endangerment charges after unknowingly destroying an expensive avalanche mitigation system.

Evan Hannibal and Tyler DeWitt were making their way down a slope after a snowboarding excursion when the avalanche happened. Now, they are facing a $168,000 lawsuit for reckless endangerment.

Charges May Deter People From Reporting Avalanches

On Thursday, the trial against the snowboarders will begin with many backcountry enthusiasts and even avalanche prevention specialists watching. Many have raised concerns that the suit faced by the snowboarders may cause other backcountry enthusiasts to not come forward and report avalanches in fear of being charged.

According to Fox News, 26-year-old Hannibal stated in an interview that many people have already advised him that reporting avalanches anonymously is safer so that they can avoid getting charged. He also stated that the case against him and DeWitt may cause a significant drop in reports with the witness' names or even affect the number of avalanches reported.

Although, he also mentioned that there are still people who would report the avalanches to ensure safety while in the backcountry.

However, District Attorney Heidi McCollum of Summit County stated that the charges against the two snowboarders are appropriate. She also stated that she does not believe that the case will cause people to not report avalanches.

ALSO READ: California Wildfire Started from a Damaged Power Line: Tree Hits the Distribution Lines, Report Says

Charges Based on Helmet-Cam Footage

In February, DeWitt and Hannibal argued that their protection from unlawful search and seizure was violated when the prosecutors charged them criminally based on footage taken from a helmet cam. They also mentioned that they surrendered the video to the investigators aiming that it could be used to avoid future slides, The Colorado Sun reported.

Meanwhile, Ethan Greene, director of Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), and avalanche forecaster Jason Konigsberg both testified that the pair of snowboarders voluntarily gave their video and provided information about the slide.

In addition, on April 6, 2020, the CAIC published a report stating that the snowboarders were the ones who triggered the avalanche with the assumption that the avalanche mitigation would decrease the hazard on the slope.

On top of this, Brian Metzger, Summit County sheriff's deputy, added that he was able to obtain a report of the incident from the CAIC and that he was also able to get a copy of the helmet video.

Metzger mentioned that there were several comments of concern in the video. He wrote that the snowboarders were clearly aware of the avalanche conditions and were worried. However, they still decided to continue. He also added that there were even comments made of getting in trouble if authorities would arrive.

The remarks taken from the helmet-cam video are likely to be used during the trial, as well as the report from the avalanche center, which suggests that the snowboarders miscalculated the dangers on the slope.

Meanwhile, the snowboarders expressed surprise that the authorities would use the information that they handed over against them. They also insisted that they did their best to navigate the terrain safely.

WATCH: Snowboarders charged for starting avalanche in Colorado facing $168,000 fine - NewsNation Now

RELATED ARTICLE: Colorado Shooting Suspect Was Bullied and Anti-Social, Brother Says