Aspen

This very large and destructive avalanche resulting in a very close call near Snowmass yesterday provides recent and stark evidence of the type of avalanches you can trigger through the Elk and Sawatch mountains.

It is easiest to trigger one of these avalanches from a shallow spot in the snowpack, like near buried rocks and trees. Paths that have already slid and have refilled are shallower than other terrain, these are suspect as well. You can trigger slides from below and from adjacent terrain. Traveling on slopes less than about 30 degrees with no steep connected terrain above you can greatly reduce your risk.

As temperatures climb and the sun heats snow surfaces, you can expect Loose Wet avalanches to become a concern on steep lower-elevation slopes. Snow with exposed dust and near rock bands will heat up faster. Wet, mushy, and gloppy snow are signs to move to colder aspects or call it a day.