“If an Animal Can Trigger an Avalanche Right Now, So Can You.” | Suspected Wildlife-Triggered Avalanche Reported in Colorado

Human-triggered and natural avalanches aren’t the only kinds of slides backcountry travelers need to be aware of. 

The Colorado Avalanche Center shared an Instagram post on Sunday showing what appears to be the remnants of a large avalanche that was triggered by an animal in the Colorado Rockies. According to the CAIC, an avalanche report was submitted by a hunter who saw a lone pair of deer tracks entering into a slide path of an R2/D2-sized avalanche on a northeast aspect at about 11,500 feet near Redstone. The tracks did not come out the other side.

The CAIC wrote regarding the suspected animal-triggered slide:

“If an animal can trigger an avalanche right now, so can you! Although you can’t tell in this photo, the hunter who submitted this observation could see a single pair of obvious tracks–likely deer–headed into the start zone of this R2/D2 avalanche that ran on a northeast aspect at around 11,500 feet near Redstone. Though the danger continues to abate with each passing day, continue to use caution where you find continuous snow on northerly slopes at high elevations. As always, the best thing you can do is read the avalanche forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche before heading out.”

 

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Keep in mind that just because you may be the only party touring through a backcountry area, the potential for natural and, as shown, even wildlife-triggered avalanches do exist. This is why it’s crucial to practice safe backcountry travel techniques and always check the avalanche forecast before heading into the backcountry, if one is available.

For those living in Colorado who would like to learn more about avalanche safety, check the avalanche forecast, or find a list of avalanche safety courses, check out the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s website.