Avalanche danger grows

SUMMIT COUNTY — Forecasters with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) say up to 12 inches of snow could fall across the local mountains through Saturday. More impressive storm totals are expected in Colorado’s southwestern mountains where two to four feet of snow are forecast.

Moisture out of the southwest, combined with a cold low pressure system dropping from the Pacific Northwest, should help spark the winter’s first significant storm. The new snow will add to the avalanche danger, already rated as considerable across parts of the High Country, with triggered releases possible on steep, wind-loaded slopes.

Reports from Loveland Pass, for example, show a weak snowpack with slabby conditions on easterly aspects above treeline. A ski cut Thursday in the Tenmile Range triggered a hard slab avalanche more than two feet deep and running 200 feet wide on a north-facing slope near treeline.

Such slide-prone conditions are not widespread yet, but limited to areas where slabs formed atop weak layers in the past couple of weeks, according to the CAIC.
The new snow expected this weekend will lead to more widespread avalanche hazards. Backcountry travelers can expect signs of instability like shooting cracks, whoompfing and collapsing snow and recent avalanches. Unstable and potentially dangerous slabs can be expected on steep terrain above treeline.

Check in with the CAIC at http://avalanche.state.co.us for the latest forecasts and avalanche warnings and plan backcountry travel with an eye toward conditions.

Two skiers were caught, but not injured, in a Nov. 14 slide in the Jones Pass area. Check the CAIC website’s “accident” link for a detailed report, including photos, of the Jones Pass slide.