Eastside Region

Avalanches remain very unlikely.  Firm slide-for-life conditions continue to be the greatest hazard to backcountry travel, along with possible rockfall in steep warming terrain. Some surface softening should occur on aspects with southerly exposure. Choose terrain that matches your comfort and abilities.

Clear skies, cold temps and dry air led to a very solid refreeze last night of snow surfaces with a solar tilt, not that they melted very much to begin with yesterday.  Full sunshine, light winds, and highs temperatures about 8°F warmer than yesterday should lead to greater amounts of surface softening today on aspects with southerly exposure. This will be enough to make for pleasant riding conditions if your timing is right, but not enough for any kind of loose-wet avalanche concerns. Rockfall on the other hand is quite possible as snow warms and recedes from the edges of cliffs and rock bands. Limit your exposure to steep confined rocky terrain at the height of its daily warming, and wear a helmet.   

Firm slide-for-life conditions remain the greatest hazard to backcountry travel. A skier two days ago was rescued by helicopter from the bottom of Laurel Mtn after he lost an edge at the top of the Pinner Couloir and was unable to self-arrest with his whippet and tumbled ~1800’. Search and Rescue was also activated the night before that to assist a couple traversing from Mammoth to June along the San Juaquin Ridge who didn’t feel comfortable with the firm conditions encountered. If you are venturing beyond the soft faceted snow found in sheltered northerly facing trees, carry, know how to use, and BE PRACTICED with the use of an ice ax/whippet and boot/ski crampons. These tools used properly can help you avoid a fall on the way up, but on the way down it’s sharp edges and your riding abilities that will keep you alive. Stay in terrain that you feel comfortable with, and realize that even if you do have the right tools and you fall, you have a split second to react before it’s too late.