Avalanche Awareness – Part 2: Colorado has seen a significant amount of avalanches since the start of the 2019/2020 season. This has been brought about by early snowfall followed by two large systems that passed through Colorado around the Thanksgiving holiday. The storms produced large enough amounts of snow to settle on very weak layers below. A majority of the avalanches have occurred on east to northeast facing wind loaded slopes.
With that said, I recently came across a video from the Utah Avalanche Center from two years ago that details an avalanche occurring along the Park City Ridgeline on a slope referred to the Sound of Music. This was a skier triggered avalanche and video discusses the details what lead to the event. A great reminder of being avalanche aware as you trek into the backcountry. It is your responsibility to “Know Before You Go”. I have provided avalanche resources for a good majority of the mountain west and a link to the 2019 Avalanche Awareness Blog below.
Resources
AIARE – American Institute for Avalanche Research and Eduction
AVALANCHE.ORG – Avalanche.org
Colorado Avalanche Information Center – CAIC
Utah Avalanche Center – Utah Avalanche Center
Bridger Teton Avalanche Center – Bridger Teton Avalanche Center
Sierra Avalanche Center – Sierra Avalanche Center
Backcountry Avalanche Awareness 2019
