Colorado’s very weak snowpack is not going away any time soon… and one of the more nefarious features of this year’s snowpack is that you can trigger “slab” avalanches remotely. This means you can travel in low-angle terrain and start a crack that runs through the snowpack to a steeper slope — triggering an AVALANCHE.
In December, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) recorded 85 remotely triggered avalanches, and the most recent reports were over the past week. What does this mean for all of us? We need to pay attention to the slopes we are crossing and the connected terrain. Slope angle matters! Crossing under even small steep slopes, like road cuts or gully walls, could be dangerous. Small changes in your route could lead to big changes in your safety.
Here are the areas of Colorado where avalanche danger is moderate or considerable. The San Juan Mountains north and east of Pagosa Springs are one the areas of concern.
The CAIC recently released the two videos included here, describing the incredibly weak and dangerous snowpack we are experiencing in Colorado right now. On Saturday December 26, a backcountry skier was killed in an avalanche in First Creek, in an area locally known as Chimney Chute. Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the victim.
We hope these videos help you understand the conditions we are currently facing, and help you make more informed decisions in the backcountry.
The avalanche danger will rise with each storm and slowly fall during periods of calm weather. With the snowpack we have this year the spikes will be dramatic.
Please check the avalanche forecast before you go out. Plan your backcountry tours carefully. Enjoy our wondrous mountains, and come home safely.