By Shannon Lukens.

 

Avalanche conditions are dangerous right now for the mountainous areas of Colorado. It’s because of the new snow and winds we’ve been getting. Here’s Ethan Greene, director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

“Multiple storms this week have increased the thickness of cohesive slabs of snow, resulting in larger avalanches in more places. As the storms keep rolling in, the avalanches are growing larger with each subsequent storm.”

The most dangerous conditions will be Sunday afternoon. Be aware if you’re going in the backcountry. Travel with safety gear and know the forecast.

Check avalanche conditions from CAIC

Full statement from CAIC Director Ethan Greene

 

Courtesy CAIC

Press release from Colorado Avalanche Information Center; Jan. 10, 2024.

CAIC issues special avalanche advisory as danger rises heading into MLK weekend

Virtual press conference scheduled for Jan 11 @ 12:30pm

 

BOULDER – The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) issued a special avalanche advisory for mountainous areas of Colorado, alerting the public to dangerous avalanche conditions heading into Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. There have been fatal avalanche accidents around MLK weekend in four of the last 12 years.

 

“The avalanche danger is going to be higher and avalanche conditions are going to be trickier this coming weekend than what we’ve seen in the last few weeks,” said CAIC Director Ethan Greene. “It’s been a dry winter in Colorado, and we’re all excited that we are finally getting some snow. This holiday weekend, a lot of people will be getting out and into the mountains, and there are lots of great, safe places to go. We want people to check the avalanche forecast and make a plan that keeps them off of the dangerous slopes.”

 

Colorado has had an unusual period of low avalanche danger in December and early January. The advisory explains that new snow and winds through the holiday weekend will increase the avalanche danger statewide. Very dangerous avalanche conditions will develop in some regions, with the most dangerous conditions developing in the middle of the weekend. It will be easy to trigger large, widely-breaking avalanches capable of burying a person. Conditions will be more dangerous than they have been in weeks, so travel plans should be adjusted accordingly.

 

To see the avalanche forecast for your area or to learn more about avalanche safety, go to www.colorado.gov/avalanche. CAIC always urges backcountry travelers to educate themselves, travel with safety gear, and know the forecast.

 

More Information

Backcountry Safety and Avalanche Danger

Be aware of the avalanche danger for Steamboat and the FlatTops by going to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website at https://www.avalanche.state.co.us/

Be prepared when going into the backcountry. Routt County Search and Rescue has some tips.

• Be prepared

• Know where you are going and know the terrain.

• Don’t go alone.

• Let someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back.

• Make sure your cell phone battery is fully charged.

• If in trouble, call 911, stay where you are and wait for rescue.

Carry the following, if headed out:

• GPS, map or compass.

• Sun protection, sunscreen, glasses, a hat

• Insulation with layers, gloves, handwarmers

• Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries

• First Aid (bandaids and wipes)

• Fire (lighter or waterproof matches, fire starter)

• Tools (knife, zip ties, duct tape, a whistle, avalanche gear, shovel)

• Nutrition such as high-energy snacks ( jerky, trail mix)

• Hydration (water purifier and a cup to melt snow)

• Shelter (sleeping bag, tent, tarp, space blanket)

 

If you’re going to Buffalo Pass, you’ll need to get a parking pass up there, at the kiosk. And no overnight parking.