100 Avalanches Recorded in Colorado Over Presidents Weekend

During the recent three-day weekend, 100 unscheduled avalanches occurred in the mountains, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).

Many can recognize the sound of cannon fire, at a ski resort, which signals a scheduled avalanche to prevent unexpected slides. This weekend's slides, however, were unplanned.

Over President’s Day weekend, February 14-17, 100 avalanches were recorded.

• 49 were large enough to bury, injure or kill a person
• 18 were triggered by backcountry travelers
• 4 people were caught in the slides (including three in a single incident on Feb. 15 where two people were killed)

With the climate crisis as it is, I can’t help but wonder how it will affect future Colorado avalanches.

In 2019, over 130 people were caught in slides, a Colorado record.

As for 2020, so far 50 people have been caught in an avalanche and 4 people have died. As CAIC said, “We still have a lot of year left.”

The avalanches over President's Day weekend ranged in location, including, but not limited to:

1. Around Loveland Pass
2. Near the Eisenhower Tunnel
3. Red Mountain Pass
4. Gunnison
5. Gothic
6. Aspen
7. Willow Creek along the Front Range
8. Never Summer Ranch
9. Ten-Mile Range
10. Herman Gulch
11. Berthoud Pass (east and west side)
12. Mount Emmons
13. Buffalo Pass
14. Rocky Mountain National Park
15. Vail Pass

Source: Denver7