Lawinenlagebericht

San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Kachina Peaks 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 last year abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Breezy and cooler temperatures will reduce today's wet avalanche hazard.  South facing slopes could still receive enough sun to cause wet loose instabilities.  Winter recreationists should continue to be aware of softening and slushy surface conditions and avoid steep, sunlit slopes above terrain traps and cliffs.

Rocks and logs are once again becoming an increasing hazard and those seeking skiing and riding may have difficulty accessing snow covered terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Today's temperatures are forecast to drop 10 degrees and southwest winds will increase to 20-30 mph with gusts as high as 40.  This, along with increasing cloud cover will likely keep any wet loose hazard at bay.

    Those traveling in the backcountry should continue to stay mindful of the potential for wet loose avalanches on sun exposed slopes.  These avalanches start on the snowpack's surface as minor point releases but will quickly entrain more snow as they descend the slope.  

    Large and fast moving roller balls have released from ski and snowboard turns this week throughout east, south, and west aspects.   These chunks of snow sometimes grew to the size of a skier or rider and could easily create a hazard for other individuals parked in run out zones or could knock a skier or rider from their feet.

    Today will be all about timing as temperatures dipped below freezing last night at 11,500'.  Expect hard and potentially crampon worthy snow in the morning with lower slopes potentially being soft unconsolidated snow.  Slopes may soften quickly as the day warms and slopes are exposed to sunshine.  Be ready for variable conditions and difficulty traveling through both snow and rock covered terrain.

    For more details check out the observation page.  

    An example of some of the large roller balls released in the past few days.  These chunks of soft snow are a sign of wet instability.  If you see or trigger these move it's time to move to shadier aspects and avoid these slopes.  

     

    (3/27/2025) Photo: Mathieu Brown

Avalanche Discussion

Test pits and observations throughout the week show that the snowpack in most places below 11,500' feet has become isothermal, meaning standard layers in the snowpack are mostly homogonous, the exception being a variety of surface conditions that range from sun to wind crusts.  Throughout much of the terrain, except south facing slopes below treeline, the snow pack is typically 1F - 4F in hardness.  This snowpack is supportable and most slopes below 11,500 feet are providing good spring skiing.  Above this elevation sun exposed slopes are gloppy or, in the morning, hard and crusty.  Many north facing slopes above treeline still have a pencil hard wind affected surface.  Snow depths mid-slope in the Humphreys cirque yesterday were generally between 80-120 cms.  

For the past few days temperatures have warmed and the below treeline snowpack has not been going through a standard daily melt/freeze cycle.  In many places the snowpack is melting out.  Egress from below the Humphrey/Agassiz saddle back into the ski area is now challenging.  Be aware of rock and log hazards and come prepared to carry equipment through dry and rocky patches.

In the next few days, temperatures are expected to remain cooler with increased winds.  This will reduce melt-off but increase the challenge of finding softer snow later in the day.   Plan your tour accordingly as the conditions have deteriorated rapidly on solar aspects.  

Crampons and ice axes will be helpful during cold mornings on steep frozen slopes. 

Join us on the Agassiz deck, Saturday, April 5th for our Mikee Linville scholarship fundraiser!

If you get out, please submit your observations or email us at [email protected]. 

KPAC has documented evidence of several avalanches this season - Avalanche Database.  

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