The United States is on track for a modern record tally of avalanche deaths this year and the COVID-19 pandemic is at least partly to blame.
There are a couple of factors are at work here.
First, the pandemic has forced a lot of popular ski resorts to remain closed, so more people are heading into uncharted territory.
"(There are) certainly there are a lot more people out in the back country," said Nick Meyers, director of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center. "People are getting into back country skiing and snowmobiling, but then you can talk about the snowpack itself, too."
Second, the snowpack has been light, confirmed by numbers reported last week.
A long dry spell followed a strong start to the season, leading to weak layering and an unstable base. "You combine those two, you potentially have the recipe for an accident," he added.
Between January 30 and February 6, a staggering 15 people died in U.S. avalanches. That’s the most avalanche-related deaths in a week since 1910. Since October 1, 33 people have been killed, putting this "avalanche year" on track to eclipse the modern record of 36 deaths.
Despite those numbers, there are many intent on tromping into back country.
"They’ve gotta get avalanche rescue gear and they’ve gotta get the training," Meyers said.
That gear includes a transceiver so you can be found in the event of an avalanche, plus a shovel and a probe to help you find others.
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