Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

2 caught in weekend avalanches; awareness classes are scheduled

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Created on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 19:03

Written by Dena Rosenberry

ASPEN — Two close calls on area peaks last weekend may make Mountain Rescue Aspen's upcoming Avalanche Awareness Workshop all the more timely, reports the Aspen Times.

A skier was buried Sunday by an avalanche on Marble Peak, but was reportedly dug out quickly and was not injured, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

Another skier was caught and carried by an avalanche in Maroon Bowl on Highlands Ridge Saturday, but was able to grab a tree in the slide's path and hold on, the CAIC reported on Monday.

“There is danger right now,” Mountain Rescue member David Swersky, coordinator of the annual avalanche workshop, told Aspen Times reporter Janet Urquhart. “This is another really representative year of a fragile Colorado snowpack.”

Sunday's snow fell on weak layers that included surface hoar, faceted snow and crusty snow, according to the CAIC.

Read the full avalanche danger story in the Aspen Times.

There's an avalanche workshop in Aspen on Jan. 21 and 22.

Here is a calendar of Colorado Avalanche Information Center classes.

The Colorado Mountain Club also offers classes.