GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) -The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said avalanche danger across much of the state has dropped to a level 3 out of 5 but warned that significant risk remains, particularly for those traveling in the backcountry.
Mike Cooperstein, Northern Mountains Regional Manager for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, said conditions are still dangerous.
“It’s still really dangerous out there,” Cooperstein said. “People can easily get killed by the avalanches, by the size of the avalanches that are out there right now.”
Deadly avalanches reported across the West
Multiple deadly avalanches have occurred this week in states including California and Utah. According to the Avalanche Information Center, around 70 percent of fatal avalanche accidents in the western United States happen within four days of a previous fatality.
“That means that conditions are really unstable,” Cooperstein said. “There’s a lot of new snow around. We’re really urging people to be super careful.”
Human-triggered slides a primary concern
Historically, nearly 80 percent of avalanche fatalities in Colorado occur when the danger is rated at a level 2 or 3.
“When we drop down to considerable danger, we’re mostly worried about human-triggered avalanches, which are the ones that we all care about because they’re the ones that we’re all involved in,” Cooperstein said.
What to watch for in the backcountry
Cooperstein said those leaving ski area boundaries should watch for specific warning signs in the snowpack.
“If you’re moving around in the backcountry or you’re leaving the ski area boundary, the things that you’re looking for are cracking and collapsing in the snowpack and recent avalanche activity,” he said. “If you see cracks shooting out from your skis or your snowshoes or underneath your snow machine, you should be really careful because that means there’s a weak layer in the snowpack, the slab’s right for it to break, and it’s really easy to trigger avalanches.”
Cooperstein said managing terrain is one of the most important steps backcountry travelers can take.
“If you’re avoiding those slopes, those dangerous slopes, 30 to 50 degrees, you can have an awesome day in the mountains and not really expose yourself to avalanche risk,” he said.
The level 3 avalanche danger is expected to remain in effect for most of the weekend before beginning to decrease around early to middle of next week. No major highway impacts are expected this weekend. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has resources available online for backcountry skiers and others heading into the mountains this weekend.
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