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State reporting high danger of avalanches in mountains

Posted at 1:15 PM, Jan 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-16 15:24:57-05

Avalanche danger is high in several areas of the Colorado mountains.

Avalanche Warnings are in effect from Wednesday at 6 a.m. until Thursday at 8 a.m., according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).

The warning applies to the San Juan Mountains, Grand Mesa, Aspen and Gunnison. That includes the Elk Mountains, West Elk Mountains, Ruby Range, La Garita Mountains, La Plata Mountains, Needle Mountains and the Grenadier Range.

The avalanche danger is high — a 4 or 5 ranking — in these areas. Large natural and triggered avalanches are likely because significant snowfall is overloading a weak snowpack, according to the CAIC. If triggered, they could run over a long distance.

The center said adventurers should not travel on or beneath avalanche terrain.

A backcountry skier was killed in an avalanche earlier this month northwest of Red Mountain Pass. The man was participating in an avalanche safety course.

To learn more about conditions and avalanches, visit the CAIC website here.