Remote triggered avalanche in the Gore Range.
Remote triggered avalanche in the Gore Range.

As the avalanche danger across many parts of Colorado has been decreased to MODERATE, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) looks to remind the public that 40% of avalanche fatalities in the state occur at the MODERATE danger level.

Colorado Avalanche Danger level during MLK Weekend

The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend has been a high-risk period in the past, with a fatal accident occurring during the weekend in four of the last 13 years. As such, the CAIC urges backcountry travelers to do so safely and with caution.

We’re worried about an avalanche accident this weekend. While there isn’t such a thing as a typical Colorado winter, the conditions we’ve been seeing are unusual. Over the last few weeks we’ve seen people trigger large and very large avalanches almost every day under a CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5) avalanche danger rating. We’re now 5 days from the last big snowstorm, and the avalanche danger is slowly decreasing, but conditions are still far from safe. We are issuing the most accurate danger ratings for the current conditions, but we don’t want people to feel that level 2 of 5 means that the danger is gone and its time to step out into bigger avalanche terrain.” – CAIC Director Ethan Greene

The North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale makes it clear that human triggered avalanches are still possible at a MODERATE level, and large avalanches are still very possible in isolated areas. The snowpack should still be carefully evaluated by those hoping to head into the backcountry.

One atypical aspect of this season is how long the majority of Colorado remained at CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5) to HIGH (4 of 5) avalanche danger—from December 26 to January 15. While the danger has now decreased in many places, parts of the Northern Mountains—the Park Range and Front Range near and east of Rocky Mountain National Park—remain at CONSIDERABLE danger due to ongoing avalanche activity and up to a foot of new snow expected by Saturday morning.” – Colorado Avalanche Information Center

If you hope to head into Colorado’s backcountry, make sure you check the avalanche forecast before doing so, adjusting plans accordingly. Additionally, backcountry travelers should always carry the proper avalanche safety gear, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel, and have a complete understanding of how to use them.

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