Lawinenlagebericht

San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Strong winds are creating dangerous wind slabs especially on north and east facing slopes near and above treeline. Wind slab will continue to develop throughout the day on leeward sides of ridges, gullys and cross-loaded terrian features . These avalanches have a potential to “step down” to weak layers near the ground creating a large avalanche. Avoid wind loaded starting zones on steep slopes and watch for cracking or whumpfing.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    W winds are forecast to continue throughout the day, there is plenty of snow for transport and optimal wind speeds forecast.  However, last nights winds were  recording out of the N. These winds will actively load leeward slopes and gullies. Backcountry travelers should identify and avoid wind accumulated snow and the resulting berms, drifts and mounds.  Watch for cracking and be aware of hollow sounding snow--both obvious signs of instability. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Faceted snow at the bottom of the snowpack remains the larger hazard on slopes of near and above treeline and all aspects.  This is a challenging problem to negotiate as it presents a low probability but high consequence scenario.  These avalanches will likely trigger with no warning. Steeper slopes at high elevations present the most significant probability of being triggered. 

Avalanche Discussion

Snow pits and results from column tests  continue to show a high level of spacial variability. On a SSW aspect near treeline, a slope showed some storm instability and produced an ECTP13 above a crust layer on near surface facets and a SSE aspect near treeline producted a ECTN21 at the top of basal facets. Neither of these pits had a stiff one figure slab present. In other places such as Thursdays east cirque pit, snowpack structure still remains poor with weak basal layers under a stiff slab. All of these areas continue to have weak layers present, this faceted weak layer will likely be triggered in a shallow area near rocks or cliffs. 

As folks venture out to locations further a field, continue to evaluate snowpack continions carefully. ECT tests are a great way to check slope stability with persistant slab probelms.

Yesterdays storm added 4-10” of snow to the moutnian with more falling at high elevation. Yesterdays winds remained more calm than forecast. Today winds will be out of the west and optimal speeds for wind slab development on leeward slopes and cross-slope terrain features.   Avoid areas with a cohesive slab, especially if cracking or shearing is observed.

Thus far, no avalanches have been observed or reported this season.  This will likely change within the next week, significant snow is forecast for the next ten days.   Egress and regress remain challenging, but in some places, they are achievable without significant hazards.  Be wary of seemingly snow covered slopes, many of these areas had significant rock before this storm.

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