This week in the Southeastern part of Colorado we are seeing the light at the end of the cold winter tunnel; this is likely to change by the weekend, but I am going to soak it up while I can. Temperatures are warming, birds are singing, and the nights are getting longer. In the high country however, the snow is still deep and avalanche danger remains. With the warmer temps this week we are in a transitional period where the type of slides are varying; On the colder northern slopes we are expected to see dry slabs that will break on the older layers that were covered by the recent snowfall. On the warmer eastern side of the mountain there is more of the heavy wet avalanches forecasted to occur, according to Colorado Avalanche Information Center. This year, in the 2021-2022 season, 11 people nation-wide have lost their lives in avalanches. A total of 37 people died last season.

With more and more people getting outside the need for education is high. This week, in our forest, the largest mountain guide company in Colorado is putting on an avalanche course around the Wolf Creek area. After making the permit and looking into the company, I found it exciting to see the kind of work that the Colorado Mountain School (CMS) is doing. They want to encourage people to see what is past the next ridge and to get deep into the backcountry while being self-sufficient at the same time. The 3-day course covers topics like human factors, snow science, avalanche terrain and correlating what an individual sees in the field while knowing the forecasts. CMS emphasizes ensuring safe strategies when traveling in avalanche terrain while also empowering explorers who want to discover and learn.

I have never done much winter snow play; I am more of a summer person. To me, wintertime is a opportunity to cozy up to a good cup of coffee and a thick book. I have no experience in winter mountaineering, but this is exciting! I am constantly amazed at the things that are offered the Forest Service and partners. No matter what you want to do outdoors, there also seems to be a program to accomplish your goals in a safe and exciting way.

Agency: U.S Forest Service

Program: Resource Assistant Program (RAP)

Location: Lost Trail