BOULDER, Colo.—The early start to Colorado’s snow season has already resulted in several avalanches.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said Thursday that five people have reported triggering slides in the backcountry so far. There haven’t been any serious injuries, but four of the slides resulted in at least one person being swept downhill.
Center director Ethan Greene said that while the early snow may look inviting, backcountry users should be careful not to expose themselves to unnecessary risks.
Skiers and climbers have reported triggering three slides in Rocky Mountain National Park. Skiers also reported triggering slides on Independence, Loveland and Jones passes.
“We haven’t seen conditions like this in the last four or five years, so people who have learned avalanche awareness during this period may not appreciate that things which were appropriate last year may not be safe this year. This could be a different and potentially more dangerous year than they’re used to,” Greene said.
Greene said the early snow is shallow and if hikers and skiers trigger an avalanche, they’re more likely to hit rocks and trees than when there is more snowpack.
