S1E6: 1.6 - Backcountry Winter Safety - Jan. 21, 2021

01/21/21 • 17 min

Colorado Outdoors - the Podcast for Colorado Parks and Wildlife

In this episode discusses how to get in front of backcountry danger in the winter.

Outdoor agencies across Colorado have seen an increase in park visitation and off-grid winter recreation. Recreating in the backcountry requires certain precautions and equipment to ensure a safe outdoor experience.

Podcast host Mark Johnson talks with two CPW experts on winter backcountry recreation. Ben Plankis is the trails coordinator for the northeast region of the agency and Michael Haskins is a park ranger at Chatfield State Park who assist backcountry search and rescue teams with rescue missions.

For more information on backcountry winter safety courses, visit colorado.com/WinterBackcountrySafety and take the Colorado Backcountry Winter Safety Pledge.

TOPIC LIST:

2:40 - what do people need to consider when they head up into the high country

3:56 - know before you go - Check Avalanche and Weather Forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche

4:37 - equipment to keep you safe should you be caught in an avalanche

5:40 - avalanche awareness classes

6:38 - what to know if new to Colorado

7:28 - what should you look for when in potential avalanche terrain

8:05 - advice for experienced backcountry visitors

9:40 - snow conditions this year and more people venturing out in the backcountry

10:10 - guidelines for heading up into the backcountry

11:38 - easy access into the backcountry can lead people into a false sense of security

12:30 - what to do/know/have if you need help

15:20 - COTREX trails app and cell phone GPS capabilities

In this episode discusses how to get in front of backcountry danger in the winter.

For more information on backcountry winter safety courses, visit colorado.com/WinterBackcountrySafety and take the Colorado Backcountry Winter Safety Pledge.

TOPIC LIST:

2:40 - what do people need to consider when they head up into the high country

3:56 - know before you go - Check Avalanche and Weather Forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche

4:37 - equipment to keep you safe should you be caught in an avalanche

5:40 - avalanche awareness classes

6:38 - what to know if new to Colorado

7:28 - what should you look for when in potential avalanche terrain

8:05 - advice for experienced backcountry visitors

9:40 - snow conditions this year and more people venturing out in the backcountry

10:10 - guidelines for heading up into the backcountry

11:38 - easy access into the backcountry can lead people into a false sense of security

12:30 - what to do/know/have if you need help

15:20 - COTREX trails app and cell phone GPS capabilities

Previous Episode

S1E5: 1.5 - Staunton State Park - Dec. 23, 2020

On this episode we will feature Staunton State Park, the second-newest park in the state system, which opened back in May of 2013. Park Manager Zach Taylor tells us about Staunton's myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities at the gorgeous, and expanding, park located just off Highway 285, about an hour west of Denver.

Next Episode

S1E7: 1.7 - Ptarmigan Research in Colorado - Jan. 25, 2021

Amy Seglund is a species conservation coordinator based in Montrose who focuses on species that live in Colorado’s Alpine environment. She’s worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for 14 years. In 2018, she completed a report of a seven-year study of the White-tailed Ptarmigan -- a bird best-known for changing its color to white during the winter so that blends in with snow. The study showed that the bird is doing quite well in Colorado, but Amy is concerned about how climate change will affect the bird in the future.