The avalanche that claimed the life of a 53-year-old Longmont man Saturday in Clear Creek County was one of six human-triggered snowslides that day in the Colorado high country, the Colorado Avalanche Center reported Sunday.

No injuries were reported in the other avalanches.

The center has recorded up to 25 avalanches since the most recent snowfall last week and has placed most of the Colorado high country under a "considerable" risk of more, especially the kind caused by backcountry skiers and hikers.

" 'Considerable' means that natural avalanches are possible, but the human-triggered avalanches are probable," said Spencer Logan, an avalanche forecaster with the center's Boulder office.

"People are still triggering avalanches, and that's going to be the case for the next day or two," Logan added.

The Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office identified the victim of Saturday's avalanche as Steven Bloom, of Longmont.

Bloom and his girlfriend, who was not identified, were snowshoeing along County Highway 5 near Echo Lake, which is closed for the winter, when the man fell about 50 yards down a slope, setting off the slide.

The woman, who had been skiing ahead of him, began to search for Bloom with her dog. The dog soon found Bloom buried up to his neck in snow.

Three other people arrived to help, and one was able to dial 911 and summon the Alpine Rescue Team and Flight for Life.

Soon after the rescue workers arrived, however, Bloom's condition deteriorated and he was declared dead at the scene. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

Bloom's death was the third avalanche fatality this season.

The Avalanche Center is advising backcountry hikers and skiers to be very careful over the next few days.

"If you don't have really good skills for recognizing avalanche terrain, you're going to want to stay on very gentle slopes," Logan said. "Avoid places with steep slopes or big pillowy snowdrifts."

All travelers in the backcountry should carry their own probe, shovel and locator beacon, he added.

2006-07 fatal slides

• March 3 Echo Lake

• Feb. 4 North Mountain

• Dec. 21 Snowmass

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