Avalanche conditions are heightened in several mountain areas in Colorado and multiple watches have been posted by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
“Very dangerous avalanche conditions” are expected to develop by midday Saturday, according to the CAIC. “Natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely.”
Avalanche watches are in effect for the Elk Mountains, Sawatch Range and the Holy Cross Wilderness, the CAIC said.
An avalanche watch this weekend is also in effect for the Park Range to Rabbit Ears Pass where “very dangerous avalanche conditions” are expected to develop by midday Saturday and continue through Sunday. The La Garita Mountains and areas surrounding Lake City and Creede are also under an avalanche watch.
“Avalanches are possible whenever you find snow on a slope steeper than about 30 degrees,” according to the CAIC. “Watch for signs of unstable snow such as recent avalanches, cracking in the snow, and audible collapsing. Avoid traveling on or under similar slopes.”
Backcountry users are urged to “evaluate snow and terrain carefully” and “identify features of concern.”
There have been seven deaths in Colorado avalanches this season, the most recent being two backcountry skiers buried in a Feb. 25 deadly slide south of Vallecito Reservoir in La Plata County.
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