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Avalanche Experts Urge Use Of Beacons, Gear In Backcountry

SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- There have been 22 reported human-triggered avalanches in Colorado over the past week. The good news, no one has been seriously hurt. The bad news, the avalanche danger continues to grow.

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(credit: CAIC)

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said so far this season, 14 people have been caught and four people have been completely buried. Everyone escaped serious injuries.

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(credit: CAIC)

"There has been a lot of really lucky people out there. We've had four people buried in avalanches in the last week and a half, one by Steamboat, one by Boreas Pass and one by Crested Butte and 14 people have been caught in avalanches and that's just what we've heard of," said CAIC forecaster Scott Toepfer. "I anticipate that it will probably get busier as we move into this next storm cycle coming up."

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(credit: CAIC)
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