Colorado has the Highest Avalanche Danger Rating

[Mike King]

Another great article from the Colorado Sun

Colorado is the most dangerous state for avalanches, with death toll far surpassing other states

Colorado again retained its macabre status as the country’s most dangerous state for avalanches, according data collected by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

coloradosun.com

 

[Slim]

Not surprising. Between a continental climate just about perfect for creating and keeping persistent weak layers in the snow, it has a lot of backcountry users, both from a fairly large local population, and from high visitor numbers.

 

[martyg]

Lots of GAPERs out there. And as @Slim said, the persistent weak layers that set up in November can go in March.

My last ski area provided ample any training, and I am AIARE II. That being said, the snowpack in SW CO scares the shit out of me.

 

[Doug Briggs]

Lots of GAPERs out there. And as @Slim said, the persistent weak layers that set up in November can go in March.

My last ski area provided ample any training, and I am AIARE II. That being said, the snowpack in SW CO scares the shit out of me.

As it should. Large portions of Peak 8, 7 and 6 succumbed to bombing over the last week or so. Our 40+ inches of snow in October was exciting but with subsequent weather, we have the perfect storm for creating weak layers. Breck patrol says the warm spell we just experienced helped settle things a bit. Phew.

Just a couple of examples of the (closed at the time) inbounds slides:


About half of this view has some avalanche activity present. The photo doesn't show it very well.

 

[Tricia]

Some of the most experienced people in the backcountry world are concerned about BC conditions.
That says a lot.

 

[Mike King]

The accident report on the Diamond Peak burial and death is now out. Compelling reading. Even small amounts of apparent snow can not only be dangerous, they can fully bury you with death an outcome.

CAIC

 

[Mike King]

And the cliff notes version of the Diamond Peak report from the Colorado Sun.

Colorado’s first seasonal avalanche death illustrates how many fatal slides happen during lower danger levels

Colorado’s avalanche safety experts say the state’s first snow slide death of the season was a prime example of how often backcountry users are killed when danger levels are forecast to be at their lowest levels. Nearly 40% of fatal avalanches in Colorado occur during moderately dangerous...

coloradosun.com

 

[SkiNurse]

And the cliff notes version of the Diamond Peak report from the Colorado Sun.

Colorado’s first seasonal avalanche death illustrates how many fatal slides happen during lower danger levels

Colorado’s avalanche safety experts say the state’s first snow slide death of the season was a prime example of how often backcountry users are killed when danger levels are forecast to be at their lowest levels. Nearly 40% of fatal avalanches in Colorado occur during moderately dangerous...

coloradosun.com

Sad, but a very good article. They did everything right except...

 

[James]

The accident report on the Diamond Peak burial and death is now out. Compelling reading. Even small amounts of apparent snow can not only be dangerous, they can fully bury you with death an outcome.

CAIC

They had to dig six feet down to extricate her from the standing position.

 

[Wildbear]

A trip to Stony Pass near Silverton this last summer was all I needed to see.
Multiple chutes had huge trees snapped like toothpicks.