DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is warning skiers and snowboarders of high avalanche danger as an increasing number of people are getting caught in slides.
Since March 21, 19 people have been caught in 17 avalanches in the northern San Juan Mountains, Elk Mountains, Gore Range and Rocky Mountain National Park, CAIC said. That includes eight people who were caught in seven avalanches on Wednesday and Thursday alone. No one was seriously injured in those slides.
> Video above: Colorado Avalanche Information Center has been forecasting avalanches for 50 years.
CAIC said the increasing number of people getting caught in slides is concerning ahead of another ski weekend with fresh snow and high avalanche danger.
The increased avalanche danger means there is an even greater chance of triggering an avalanche and it could be bigger than previous days,” said CAIC Director Ethan Greene. “Thankfully, no one has been seriously injured or worse. We want everyone to enjoy our wonderful public lands and go home alive and well to their family and friends.”
More than 5,000 avalanches have been recorded in Colorado so far this season, causing 102 people to get caught. Among them, CAIC said 14 have been injured and two have died.
“Many of the recent incidents were in steep, consequential terrain," Greene said. "It might be late March and officially spring, but we still have winter avalanche conditions. People should be making travel plans based on the current snowpack, not the calendar. We need everyone headed into the backcountry to check the avalanche forecast and make sure your plan for the day fits the current avalanche conditions."
CAIC recommends checking its avalanche forecast before heading up to the mountains. It also recommended getting training and being prepared before getting into a situation where you could get caught in an avalanche.
CAIC also has education resources on its website.
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