Lawinenlagebericht

Northern New Mexico

Taos Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist.  Be wary of small isolated wind slabs above treeline. Pay attention to wind drifted pillows and stiffening of the surface.  Persistent weak layers under hard slabs on N through E aspects above treeline continue to linger and have become difficult to trigger but not impossible. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1

    Triggering an avalanche on weak faceted layers beneath stiff slabs is becoming increasingly difficult as we move further away from the last significant loading event.   Not all slopes on N through E aspects have this poor snowpack structure so take the time to assess if the slope you plan to ski or ride has this strong over weak structure.   These hard slabs will easily support the weight of a skier or rider until you find that "sweet spot".  Typically near the margins of the slab and near rock outcrops where the slab is thinner. Although these avalanches would likely be small as these slabs are not well connected across slopes, the consequences could still be quite high with lots of natural obstacles on the ground.

    The strong over weak snowpack structure you can find on N through E aspects above treeline

Avalanche Discussion

Moderate ENE winds over the last several days have easily transported the 2-4" of snow from Wednesday's storm.  Above treeline you may find isolated slabs that rest above weak faceted snow.   Look for wind drifted pillows and stiffening of the snow surface that may feel hollow or sound drummy.  Obvious clues like loud audible collapses and shooting cracks are indications you've found these slabs. Even a small avalanche right now has the potential to be consequential with lots of natural obstacles on the ground.  

 We've become a facet factory over the last week with big temperature swings from the warm sunny days and cold clear nights in the overall shallow snowpack. It's looking like this trend will continue over the next week as we wait for the next storm.  We are finding more and more slopes near and below treeline that have become cohesion-less faceted snow from top to bottom in the snowpack.  In steeper terrain, it's easy to get this snow to entrain itself creating small Loose Dry snow avalanches. Although typically not a big problem, if in steep complex terrain this snow can knock you off your feet taking you where you may not want to go.

It's been over a week since we had natural and skier triggered persistent slab avalanches on North through East aspects above treeline. As we push further and further since the last significant loading event it's become increasingly difficult to trigger an avalanche on these persistent weak layers.  Hard slabs formed from the strong wind event on 11/8 and now have upwards of a foot of snow on top. With moderate NE winds over the last two days, the snow surface may be stiffening into a more cohesive slab on the surface.  Old snow from October that is weak and faceted exists underneath these hard slabs.  This snowpack structure is variable in this terrain and impossible to tell if it exists without taking the time to dig down into the snow.

Lower angled terrain less than 35 degrees on wind-sheltered slopes near treeline offer some good skiing and riding.  It's just the beginning of December with an overall shallow snowpack.  Natural obstacles such as rocks and downed timber continue to be hazards. 

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