1.0link24316<![CDATA[I Salute the Flag. But I Pledge Allegiance to the Planet.]]>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jesse-kornbluth/i-salute-the-flag-but-i-p_b_24316.htmlAt the start of the trail at the Maroon Bells, there's a warning sign. In winter, the snow is "poorly consolidated." Avalanches are possible, and unforgiving. The "Deadly Bells" don't grant second chances. Even experts die here.
I thought this warning was overstated until I heard a park employee offer this advice: "If you get caught in an avalanche in winter, ski to a mature pine forest --- it's your only hope."