Avalanche Safety

Everyone here at Jaywalker and in the Roaring Fork Valley is excited for this week’s projected storm. The winter storm warning is calling for anywhere between 1 and 3 feet of snow and is in effect through December 5^th. However exciting this may be, there are some adherent risks involved with the amount of snow this early in the season. In order to have a safe and fun time in the back-country we must take precautions. Here are a few recommendations from the National Ski Patrol:

1. Always carry avalanche equipment
2. Be aware of your surroundings
3. Analyze the snow pack stability
4. Cross potential avalanche slopes one at a time
5. Have the courage to know when you shouldn’t go

While these are some great things to remember, we could all benefit from the knowledge taught by professionals. Colorado Mountain College is currently offering a course titled: Avalanche Awareness Level I-Avalanche Safety I. The goal of avalanche safety instruction is to help skiers and snowboarders make smart decisions in the back-country so they can minimize their chances of having to deal with an avalanche and know what to do in the event one occurs. For more information on this course and other outdoor courses offered by Colorado Mountain College.

Let’s have a safe, fun, and memorable winter. Let it snow!

Donnie Hagenbart

Program Coordinator

Jaywalker U

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Bill Anuszewski

As Chief Executive Officer Bill provides leadership and manage all day-to-day operations of Jaywalker Lodge, an extended care residential addiction treatment program for adult men.

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