Yesterday, a skier was caught, carried and fully buried on a west facing slope at an elevation of 9,600 feet in the Snake River Range. The skier was quickly recovered and did not sustain injuries. This avalanche was skier triggered, around 30 inches deep and failed on faceted snow. In steep avalanche terrain, similar persistent slabs remain possible above 7,500 feet. On sunlit aspects, abundant sunshine and warming temperatures might increase the likelihood of triggering these slides. Don’t let the weekend and blue skies impair your judgement. Evaluate the snowpack often, and don’t assume that one snowpit will give you a representative picture of the hazard.
Snow depths range from two to four feet, and weak faceted snow exists throughout the snowpack. Above 7,500 feet, the potential remains for skiers and riders to trigger persistent slab avalanches ranging in depth from one to three feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will continue to build over the region resulting in clear skies and inverted temperatures. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before rising into the mid-20s during the day. Ridgetop winds will be light and variable.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 7,500 feet on Saturday. The potential remains for skiers and riders to trigger persistent slab avalanches one to three feet deep in steep avalanche terrain. Abundant sunshine and warming temperatures might increase the likelihood of triggering these slides on sunlit aspects. Don’t let the weekend and blue skies impair your judgement. Evaluate the snowpack often, and don’t assume that one snowpit will give you a representative picture of the hazard. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow slab in very steep terrain.
