Avalanche danger is high
One of the great things about living in Colorado is the chance to get outside, especially in the winter.
Even on a cold January morning, the hills in Manitou Springs are alive – busy with people on the Manitou Incline and Barr Trail.
Haley Greer of Castle Rock is one of those people. She said, “I do the (Manitou) Incline a lot and on the way back down, we do the Barr Trail a lot.”
The Barr Trail is also one of the ways to get to the top of “America’s Mountain”.
“I’ve been hiking the Barr Trail since I got here – around 20 years or so,” said Dan Dickey of Colorado Springs.
While Pikes Peak may be beautiful when it’s covered in snow, that coating of white can lead to danger.
In our area, the main concern for avalanches is on Pikes Peak and while avalanches are rare on the mountain, they are possible.
Jon Easdon of Blindside, a shop that specializes in snowboards, skateboards and skis explains what makes the peak so dangerous.
“There’s all kinds of variable snow conditions up there and they change all the time. (It’s) one of the hardest mountains to read in terms of snow pack and stability in the state,” he said.
While avalanches can be a problem on the roads, most of the danger is in the back country.
But there are ways to stay safe this winter.
“Education is the first and foremost thing. Having all your gear – your avalanche beacon, your snow shovel, your probe. And knowing how to use it,” said Easdon.
Daniel Weathers is from Maryland but has plenty of experience in the back country. He knows what to look for.
“Looking at the side of the slope you can definitely tell that previous avalanches have occurred and that’s going to be your biggest giveaway whether you should really hike that trail or not,” he said.
Being aware of your surroundings, having the right gear and making sure you have a buddy system will go a long way to ensure your safety in avalanche country.
And keep you from getting into trouble.
So far this season, there have been four avalanche fatalities in the U.S., none of them in Colorado.
