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Colorado Avalanche Information Opened for 22nd Season The CAIC opened for the winter of 2004 -05 on November 1, 2004. Thus, it began its 22nd season of providing avalanche services to mitigate the prob- lems caused by snow avalanches to transportation, industry and recreation in Colorado. A staff of 12 forecasters provides education and forecast serv- ices to CDOT, Colorado ski resorts, and backcountry recreationalists —all to make Colorado's winter environment a little safer. Avalanche Statistics and Forecasting The following statistics from the 2003 -04 winter season will help put the avalanche problem in perspective. The CAIC logged a total of 2,116 avalanches, which was slightly below the long -term average of 2,300 avalanches per winter. Avalanches reportedly caught 61 peo- ple, eight sustained serious injuries, and three were killed (which was half the average of six deaths per year). Direct property damage was estimated at only $20,000 (well below average), while eco- nomic loss was several million dollars. One example of economic loss would be revenue lost by a ski resort when the highway was blocked by avalanches. More than 500 avalanches hit state highways, but not a single serious inci- dent occurred. The goal of the highway forecast program is to keep Colorado highways as safe as possible to all who drive over the high avalanche -prone passes, and to the CDOT maintenance personnel who are sometimes at risk while plowing snow during and after storms. There has not been an ava- lanche- related highway fatality since the CAIC began working with CDOT in 1992. A secondary goal is to keep ava- lanche road closures to a minimum, and we are achieving that goal as well. The CAIC daily forecasts are provided to industry clients and the public via e- mail, fax, Web site, radio stations, and seven hotlines around the state. Education Outreach Avalanche education and safety train- ing is another important service of the CAIC. The CAIC offers its potentially - life- saving courses to the public and t' I 'may ` _... . Ls Large slides near the Continental Divide. Photo by Scott Toep fer. industry professionals, including CDOT maintenance personnel. Last winter the CAIC presented 95 classes to about 2,800 people. In the last 10 years, the CAIC has held 800 classes and provided safety training to about 34,000 people. The CAIC's Web site (geosurvey.state. co.us /avalanche /) serves a valuable out- reach function. Generating 1.3 million hits last year, it is a source of daily fore- cast information as well as educational information. The CAIC posts reports on all significant avalanche accidents, and provides avalanche statistics for the entire United States for the last several years. Finally, one feature begun in 2002 has caught the public's fancy, and that is the Danger Rose. Updated daily, the Danger Rose graphically portrays the backcountry avalanche by elevation and slope aspect (direction) for primary mountain regions. It's a quick, visual way for the public to see where the dan- ger is concentrated. Visit our online bookstore for a poster on Colorado Avalanches. CGS ROCKTALK Vol. 8, No. 1 3