Cornices
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Unlikely
- Größe
- 1
Data and observations seem to indicate that the thin snowpack has gained enough strength to support itself and triggering an avalanche has become unlikely in the majority of the forecast area. The caveat to this is that instability like fragile overhangs of snow along ridgelines (cornices) or a small area unstable of snow on some isolated terrain feature may still exist. A thin snowpack and numerous exposed and barely covered rocks, stumps, logs, bushes, and other obstacles more than makeup for the decreased instability.
It pays to be conservative when traveling in a thin snowpack since collisions with hard immovable objects tend to damage people and equipment. Sometimes these things stick up out of the snow. Sometimes they lurk just below the surface. Moving on low angle slopes at slower speeds and maintaining constant vigilance can help. Early season also represents a great time to practice avalanche rescue skills, route finding, and terrain identification. Start the season off by practicing safe travel strategies and make them a habit for the rest of the year.