Experts explain why Colorado has dangerous avalanches near summer

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Search and rescue crews discovered the physique of a person after an avalanche in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park swept up three folks trying to climb the Dreamweaver Couloir on Mt. Meeker.

“Right here in Colorado we’ve had an avalanche loss of life each month of the 12 months besides September,” Dale Atkins, the previous president of the American Avalanche Affiliation mentioned.

Atkins additionally works in search and rescue within the excessive nation. He mentioned there are two kinds of avalanches relying on the season. There are dry snow avalanches in the course of the winter months and moist snow avalanches in the course of the hotter months.

He mentioned moist snow avalanches pose a threat as a result of the excessive elevations get vital snowfall, adopted by heat summer-like days making a recipe for avalanches.

“In terms of moist snow avalanches it’s the climbers on the best threat. They’re at steep slopes and slim gullies the place a little bit snow may cause issues,” Atkins mentioned.

Pinpoint Meteorologist Chris Tomer, an avid mountaineering knowledgeable, informed us Sunday he’s been up within the space the place the avalanche befell.

“It’s a technical route,” Tomer mentioned.

Tomer mentioned regardless of the Colorado Avalanche Info Middle having the avalanche risk at low to reasonable, it’s hikers’ and climbers’ duty to evaluate the route and the soundness of the snow.

He mentioned it’s additionally vital to move to the excessive nation with the expectation that you could be want to show round as a result of the circumstances aren’t good.

“You could have different hikers or climbers above you on a busy vacation weekend,” Tomer mentioned.

He mentioned that the climb the group at RMNP was on is about 15 miles roundtrip and so they almost definitely began in the midst of the evening. They might have been met with afternoon thunderstorms, making the rescue harder.

“You get rescue teams there on the bottom to search out the folks and assess the state of affairs. Then perhaps you will get air help in between storms, perhaps you possibly can’t,” Tomer mentioned.

Atkins mentioned it’s vital irrespective of the season to all the time have avalanche survival gear with you if you happen to’re heading into an space the place there’s snow.