Colorado Avalanche Bulletins

This bulletin is from the CAIC, which is an agency of the State of Colorado.

Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Advisory

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Spring Avalanche Safety

Continue to think "avalanche " if you are planning late-spring and early summer adventures into the high-country. There is still plenty of snow for skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and snowmobiling at high elevation.

Remember that virtually all avalanches release on slopes of 30 degrees and steeper. You can effectively avoid avalanche terrain by staying off of and out from under slopes that are steeper than about 30 degrees. But if you are planning to tackle steeper terrain, here are a few safety reminders.

First, carry and know how to use avalanche rescue gear. If you are in avalanche terrain, each person in your group needs to have a beacon, shovel, and probe pole.

Second, only one person in a group should be exposed to potential avalanche danger at a time. Travel one at a time through avalanche zones.

Third, climbing, skiing, and riding down the edge of slopes is generally safer than being in the center.

Fourth, snow stability changes from day to day and hour to hour. For example a large spring storm, or a sustained period of hot weather can increase the avalanche danger. During a storm, or immediately after, new snow may not bond well to the icy old snow surface. Also, soon after a storm, several hours of bright sun can warm the surface snow enough to become unstable. Though, after a couple of days, the snow will strengthen and the danger will gradually decrease.

Fifth, watch temperatures closely and monitor the snowpack for free water. When you can wring water out of a fist full of snow or your sinking into the snow to your boot tops, it is time to move off of and out from under steep slopes. Usually it is safe to travel early in the morning when the snow surface is crusty. The danger begins to rise as the snow softens in the afternoon. If the snow is not freezing overnight, or if only the surface is frozen, the danger of wet avalanches is increasing.

And sixth, big cornices may last well into the summer. To be safe, avoid traveling under cornices when the snow turns wet or when water starts to drip from the cornices.

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