Central Sierra Nevada

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–2

  Fairly superficial snow surface melt and refreeze have occurred each day/night during this warm spell. Rapid warming this morning will melt through the surface crust formed last night. As daytime warming progresses, wet snow will become deeper and eventually unsupportable. Larger wet loose avalanches are possible today in locations where deeper wet snow develops. Increasing SW winds will likely limit snow surface melt on wind exposed slopes above treeline.

  Roller balls and pinwheels are indicators that it is possible to trigger a wet loose avalanche. When the wet surface snow starts to feel deep and mushy, move to lower-angle slopes without steep sunny slopes above to avoid this avalanche problem. Seek out shaded areas if you desire a firmer, more supportable snow surface.

  

• 

  Cornices

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–2

  Large cornices exist along ridgelines in some locations. Areas of potentially problematic, overhanging cornice are interspersed within areas where the cornices were heavily eroded by last week's NE wind event. Cornice collapses remain a concern during this first major warming event.

  Cornice collapses are difficult to pinpoint in terms of exact timing. They frequently catch backcountry travelers by surprise by breaking farther back from the edge and wider than expected. If your route takes you along a corniced ridge, keep exposed rocks or trees between you and the cornice edge. Also, be wary of traveling on slopes below cornices where large dense blocks of snow could come tumbling down from above. It's best to avoid these slopes, but if you insist on traveling below cornices, spend as little time as possible doing so.