Risk for "Serious" Avalanches Persists in Colorado

According to a social media post, since Christmas, CAIC has received hundreds of reports of avalanches across the state. Most of these reports describe common signs of persistent slab avalanches like remote triggers, rumbling collapse, and shooting cracks.

A large slide was remotely triggered on Mt. Trelease, near Loveland Pass on December 31. Thankfully, no one was caught in the slide, but an avalanche of that size (D3) is indicative of just how scary conditions like these can be. Additionally, Utah is experiencing similar avalanche conditions to Colorado and has tragically seen two avalanche-related fatalities in the last week. 

So what's the best move in conditions like these? Skiers should avoid slopes where the deep persistent weak layer is present, avoid slopes have an angle of more than 30 degrees, and avoid slopes have steep overhead terrain. CAIC also reminds people that places they've traveled safely in the past might not be safe right now, so its best to avoid any travel in avalanche terrain. 

I might sound like a broken record, but if you are traveling in the backcountry, a beacon, probe, shovel, and partner are essential pieces of gear. Knowledge and understanding of current snowpack and avalanche conditions are key elements to safe and educated decision making in the backcountry. As much as we all probably want to ski powder, we also want to live to ski another day and taking warnings and conditions like these seriously is the very best way to do that. 

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