Avalanche warning issued for central, southern Colorado mountains
An avalanche warning was issued Tuesday for the central and southern mountains, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said.
One to 2 feet of new snow and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions in the high country.
On a scale of 1 to 5, areas along and south of Interstate 70 are rated a 4. The warning is in effect until 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Areas under the avalanche warning include the Aspen, Grand Mesa, Gunnison, Sangre de Cristo, San Juan and Sawatch areas.
The CAIC said some avalanches will release naturally and it will be easy for humans to trigger large slides in the backcountry.
Travel in, nor or under avalanche terrain is not recommended, the CAIC said.
Dariusz Krol, a 57-year-old backcountry skier from Boulder County, was killed Saturday in an avalanche in the area of Berthoud Pass.
From Dec. 18-21, three experienced backcountry skiers were killed in slides.
The victims were longtime Crested Butte ski patroller Jeff Schneider and two Durango residents, 55-year-old Albert Perry and 51-year-old Dr. Jeff Paffendorf.
During that deadly weekend, Colorado saw 214 avalanches, 73 of which were caused by humans, the CAIC said.
The avalanche that killed Schneider was triggered by him skiing just to the right of where six other skiers had just safely descended, according to a report.
Officials recommend residents avoid traveling on and under slopes steeper than 30 degrees north through east to southeast-facing aspects.
Skiers and snowboarders should look for signs of wind-loading on open slopes, below ridge lines and in high-elevation gullies. Cracking and collapsing are signs of danger.
Four people have died in avalanches in Colorado in the past two weeks.
Avalanche warning issued for central, southern Colorado mountains
An avalanche warning was issued Tuesday for the central and southern mountains, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said.
One to 2 feet of new snow and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions in the high country.
On a scale of 1 to 5, areas along and south of Interstate 70 are rated a 4. The warning is in effect until 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Areas under the avalanche warning include the Aspen, Grand Mesa, Gunnison, Sangre de Cristo, San Juan and Sawatch areas.
The CAIC said some avalanches will release naturally and it will be easy for humans to trigger large slides in the backcountry.
Travel in, nor or under avalanche terrain is not recommended, the CAIC said.
Dariusz Krol, a 57-year-old backcountry skier from Boulder County, was killed Saturday in an avalanche in the area of Berthoud Pass.
From Dec. 18-21, three experienced backcountry skiers were killed in slides.
The victims were longtime Crested Butte ski patroller Jeff Schneider and two Durango residents, 55-year-old Albert Perry and 51-year-old Dr. Jeff Paffendorf.
During that deadly weekend, Colorado saw 214 avalanches, 73 of which were caused by humans, the CAIC said.
The avalanche that killed Schneider was triggered by him skiing just to the right of where six other skiers had just safely descended, according to a report.
Officials recommend residents avoid traveling on and under slopes steeper than 30 degrees north through east to southeast-facing aspects.
Skiers and snowboarders should look for signs of wind-loading on open slopes, below ridge lines and in high-elevation gullies. Cracking and collapsing are signs of danger.
Four people have died in avalanches in Colorado in the past two weeks.